MELBOURNE: Kyle Chalmers outswam Romanian sensation David Popovici to win the 100m freestyle title at the World Short Course Championships on Thursday, with Australia’s Emma McKeon claiming the women’s crown.

Chalmers touched in 45.16 seconds ahead of France’s Maxime Grousset and Italian defending champion Alessandro Miressi, with Popovici fourth.

McKeon hit the wall first in a championship record 50.77. She held off defending champion Siobhan Haughey of Hong Kong, with Dutch Marrit Steenbergen taking bronze.

Britain’s Adam Peaty could only manage third in the 100m breaststroke final behind winner Nic Fink of the US (55.88).

South Africa’s Chad le Clos won the men’s 200m butterfly gold for a fourth time. He outpaced Japanese master Daya Seto to touch in 1:48.27, with Switzerland’s Noe Ponti third.

With Olympic champion and title holder Zhang Yufei bypassing this meet, the door was open in the women’s 200 fly and Dakota Luther grabbed the chance to win in 2:03.37.

She finished ahead of fellow American Hali Flickinger. Australian Lizzie Dekkers won bronze.

Another American, Lily King, stormed to victory in the women’s 100m breaststroke final in 1:02.67. Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte came second, but was disqualified, with Dutchwoman Tes Schouten elevated to silver and Germany’s Anna Elendt bronze.

American Kieran Smith claimed the men’s 400m title in 3:34.38, while Australia won the men’s 4x50m freestyle relay gold and the United States the women’s.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2022