“It’s not something that I’m used to yet, being away for so long and trying to stay focused on swimming,” she said. “I have my moments where I’m not feeling the greatest and I’m just mentally out of it. But I always have somebody to pull me back in, the support I get is just incredible.”
It was another strong night for the Australians, with another teenager Elizabeth Dekkers breaking through for her maiden international title in the 200m butterfly. And Ariarne Titmus did what Ariarne Titmus does, crushing the Commonwealth record with a dominant 800m freestyle win in 8:13.59.
Elizabeth Dekkers en route to gold in the women’s 200m butterfly final.Credit:PA
Gold also went to Australia in the mixed medley relay, with the team of Kaylee McKeown, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Temple and McKeon far too good, while Col Pearse stood atop the podium after taking out the S10 100m fly final.
Chelsea Hodges grabbed bronze in the 100m breaststroke and Matt Temple dead-heated for silver with James Guy in the 100m butterfly behind Canada’s Josh Liendo Edwards, with a long glide to the wall costing him a fraction of a second.
That race also featured Cody Simpson, who finished fifth and spoke glowingly of his first experience swimming at a major international meet. He knows he must improve to be there in Paris but he feels more motivated than ever before.
loading
“I was talking with my coach and Mack Horton, who I’m rooming with, and he said ‘you’re just gathering intel right now’. So to come out in my first international final, I knew it would be tough to be in the running for a medal, I just tried to put my best swim together under that pressure and in that environment,” Simpson said.
“I try to learn something every time I race and I’m very analytical. I’ll probably watch this back 100 times in the next week. I’ll make sure I come back and fine-tune whatever I need to do for the next one.
“I’ve had one of the best weeks ever so far. I’m rooming with some amazing guys and I’m already gaining friends for life. Just inspiration to go back and train even harder.”
The meet finishes on Wednesday night in Birmingham with a showdown that has been on everyone’s lips from the first race. Titmus, who swam a grueling 800m, squares off with Canada’s boom teenager Summer McIntosh in the 400m freestyle, who will be fresh and ready to fire a warning shot towards the great Australian.
Get all the latest news from the Birmingham Commonwealth Games here. We’ll be live blogging the action from 4pm-10am daily.