“Katie Is the GOAT”- Ariarne Titmus’ Coach Reacts as Australian Swimmer Breaks Katie Ledecky’s 400m World Record

Rivalries pack a punch expected by sports fans during competitions. Events in which rivals compete make them all the more interesting to watch. The world witnessed the brewing of rivalry between Katie Ledecky and Ariarne Titmus at the Tokyo Olympics.

At the meet, the world witnessed history as Titmus beat Ledecky in two of her mainstay events, 400m, and 200m freestyle. The 21-year-old swimmer made the headlines again as she smashed Ledecky’s 400m freestyle world record at the Australian Swimming Championships on May 22.

Ariarne Titmus breaks Ledecky 400m free record

Titmus completed the final event in 3:56.40 seconds in Adelaide. It makes her the new world record holder in the event, bettering Ledecky’s Rio Olympics time by six hundredths of a second.

The swimmer also steered close to the 200m world record at the meet, clocking an impressive 1:53.31. It marks the third-fastest time in the event. The time is just shy of Federica Pellegrini’s world record of 1:52.98.

After breaking the 200m freestyle world record, Titmus joked, “It’s kind of nice now that I am not going to be asked when I am going to break the world record.”

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As the young swimmer beat Ledecky to bag gold, the world witnessed another fascinating development. It was the celebratory dance of Titmus’ coach, Dean Boxall. He became quite the sensation on the internet following this.

The swimming coach celebrated her record win with the same fervor as he did at the Games last year.

Speaking to reporters, a contented Boxall said, “She’s in such a great place. She has an aura about her now. She’s an Olympic champion. Now she’s gone to another level, her confidence has gone to another level. We thought we had to use this.”

Indicating that the swimmer is still at a nascent point in her career, the coach stated, “Katie is the GOAT. And Arnie breaking that record doesn’t change that. But there is definitely more to come with this girl, she hasn’t reached her peak.”

The newfound rivalry between Titmus and Katie Ledecky

The rivalry between Titmus and Ledecky became apparent at the Tokyo Olympics last year. Although it was the young star’s debut meet, she performed brilliantly with two gold medals and one silver, and a bronze. Additionally, she outperformed Ledecky in two of her mainstays at the meet.

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Fans of the sport are expecting a showdown between Ledecky and Titmus in the upcoming Duel in the Pool, Sydney. However, both athletes have yet to confirm their participation. Originally, Duel in the Pool was held between 2003 and 2007 following the successful hosting of the Sydney Olympics. However, the swimming event resumes this year in August.