Day 2 got even better last night in the 2022 World Short Course Swimming Championships where the Dolphins Swim Team collected three more gold plus one silver & bronze apiece, as Australia stays on top spot with four days left of five gold, two silver & two bronze.
Let’s start off with another brilliant swim from Lani Pallister – this time in the Women’s 800m freestyle Final. She was just too good without any challenge from start to finish that secured her 2nd gold medal, after a blistering start last night where she became a world champion for the first time over in the 400m Free, having fended off rival Erika Fairweather (NZ) in that opening Finals meet.
Then we rope in both Kaylee McKeown (Lane 7) & Mollie O’Callaghan (Lane 4) over in the Women’s 100m backstroke Final where one of them took home gold for the Aussies. Now Mollie may have led for the majority having fired off well in front, but how good was Kaylee when came out of nowhere from 4th in the last 25 metre dash before she touched the wall in 1st ahead of Mollie – which is sensational stuff from someone who is extraordinary in this discipline. Again, some would love to see Mollie take home this gold but competition is the key.
And speaking of talent, how about we finish off Day 2 with the team relay in the Women’s 4 x 200 Free. Madi Wilson fired off well in 2nd in the first 200m. Mollie then capitalised on Canada’s fast start where she began to turn up the ante; that kind of patience helped the Aussies bridge that 2nd half run further in front with Leah Neale, before Lani once again wrapped up another golden night in the pool for the Dolphins with the team gold, as well as smashing another world record of 7:30.47.
Plus, shoutout to Isaac Alan Cooper who came home 3rd in the Men’s 100m back final. Although he couldn’t hold onto 2nd when Lorenzo Mora (Italy) got around him late before the end of the wall, but he swam well nonetheless with room for improvement to go one better towards silver or even gold next time.