AFP, Brisbane :
Australian middle-distance queen Ariarne Titmus has fired a warning shot to American superstar Katie Ledecky with a new Commonwealth record in the 400-metre freestyle at world championship trials on Sunday.
The 18-year-old, seen as Ledecky’s biggest challenger at the worlds in South Korea next month, dipped under the magical four-minute mark to clock 3:59.35 and secure her place on the team.
Only two spots for the championships are available in each individual event being contested at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre over six days, with Kiah Melverton (4:05.30) joining her.
Asked if she could go quicker in Gwangju, Titmus replied: “Definitely”.
“The last 100m was a bit of a sting, but I felt really good in the first 200,” added Titmus, currently ranked world number one in both the 200m and 400m freestyle.
