Teen’s star on the rise

MOVE over Ariarne Titmus, there’s a new teen sensation in the distance swimming ranks gunning for a spot at the Tokyo Olympics.

Sunshine Coast swimmer Lani Pallister (pictured) has continued her meteoric rise through the ranks, winning the 800m freestyle at the Junior Pan Pacs in Fiji yesterday.

The 15-year-old’s time of 8min 29.65sec was just over two seconds outside Gold Coaster Maddy Gough’s effort at the senior Pan Pacs in Tokyo a fortnight ago and faster than Titmus was at the same age.

But Pallister had to work for the win, turning 0.18 behind Mariah Denigan at the 750m mark before powering home to beat the American by a touch. It was a remarkable effort after Pallister’s silver medal-winning effort in the 200m earlier in the session.

Pallister’s returns were Australia’s only medals of the opening day.