Champ Titmus state’s top gun
GOLDEN girl Ariarne Titmus has capped her outstanding 2019 by beating out a class field to be named the Tasmanian Athlete of the Year.
In what was a record breaking 12 months for the 19-yearold, Titmus was crowned the state’s premier individual last night by edging out cyclists Georgia Baker and Amy Cure, rower Sarah Hawe, reigning champion Jake Birtwhistle and Kookaburras captain Eddie Ockenden.
Titmus stunned the swimming world in July when she powered over the top of Olympic champion Kate Ledecky to win the 400m freestyle at the world swimming championships in South Korea.
She was also part of the gold medal 4x200m freestyle relay team that lowered the world record, and claimed silver in the 200m freestyle and bronze in the 800m.
The teenager will head into the Tokyo Games as one of the country’s strong medal contenders in the pool.
Olympians Sam Beltz and David Guest were recognised at last night’s awards by being inducted into the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame.
Beltz — who competed at the 2008 and 2012 Games during his 15 year international rowing career — became a world champion in the lightweight men’s four at the 2011 World Championships in Slovenia.
Guest played 103 matches for the Kookaburras, winning an Olympic bronze medal in 2008 and was part of the squad which won the Champions Trophy in Chennai in 2005.
Since retiring Guest has assisted with coaching the Tassie Tigers and has further developed his coaching with the Kookaburras, Hockeyroos and AFL club Fremantle.
He has also worked at the Western Australian Institute of Sport and New South Wales Institute of Sport.