Article courtesy of Swimming Australia.
The Australian Swimming Team have put on a display of composure and excellence in what was a gold painted night in Birmingham.
In the race that set the winning momentum of the evening, Kyle Chalmers (47.51) reaffirmed his place as one of the world’s best swimmers in the Men’s 100m Freestyle. The Chalmer’s gold is his third of these Games, and his seventh across two Commonwealth Games campaigns to date.
“It’s special,” Chalmers said.
“Four years ago, I came second by such a small margin, and it has been something that has motivated me for such a long period of time. It’s not my best swim tonight, it’s not my best time, but the time doesn’t really matter for me, it just matters getting the gold medal.
“It’s nice to get the win and I hope it is able to inspire a lot of people at home who are probably going through similar things.”
Aussies William Yang (48.55) and Zac Incerti (49.09) touched fifth and eight respectively in the race.
While breaking the Commonwealth Games Record, Kaylee McKeown (2:05.06) completed the Backstroke double taking home the gold in the Women’s 200m Backstroke to add to her win in the Women’s 100m Backstroke from Sunday. Minna Atherton (2:09.40) finished just outside the podium in fourth.
An astonishing 50 minutes after winning the 200m Backstroke, McKeown (2:09.52) returned to the podium with a silver medal from the Women’s 200m Individual Medley. Teammates Abbey Harkin (2:12.25) and Ella Ramsay (2:14.71) touched with the fifth and eight fastest times.
Five-time Paralympian, Matt Levy (28.95) closed out his legendary professional swimming career with a gold in the Men’s 50m Freestyle S7. It was the final race for the icon who has inspired a generation of Australians through his sport and activism.
“It was really great. I am really proud of my career. It is always hard to do only one swim, but it was really good to get the opportunity to race and touch the wall first,” Levy said.
“It’s certainly been a long career, 20 odd years, and it was really great to be on top all the way through.
“It was really special to finish on a high. For most athletes we don’t really get to choose when we finish, and to finish on my own terms is really great, really fantastic.
“I thought it was time as a 35-year-old to look at other avenues and other parts of my life. I have ticked off a lot of boxes in my career and a Commonwealth Games is one of them.”
17-year-old Australian Joel Mundie (32.13) finished sixth in the race.
Isabella Vincent (1:52.74) and Ella Jones (1:56.14) dived in for Australia in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB6 placing fifth and sixth. The race was won by hometown legend Maisie Summers-Newton.
In his Commonwealth Games Debut, Ben Armbruster (25.34) had the seventh fastest swim in the Men’s 50m Backstroke. Bradley Woodward (25.08) narrowly missed a medal in fourth.
One night after Emma McKeon (25.90) became the most decorate Commonwealth Games athlete of all time, she picked up another gold, this time in the Women’s 50m Butterfly. Holly Barratt (26.05) secured her second medal at a Commonwealth Games with a silver in the event. Alex Perkins (26.19) finished fifth.
Not satisfied with four golds for the session, the Australian Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay (7:04.96) picked up a fifth and final win en route to setting a new Commonwealth Games Record for the Dolphins to close the night. The Australian Swimming Team has now won the event at each of the last five Commonwealth Games.
After four nights of swimming the Dolphins have amassed 39 medals including 16 golds.
Day 4 Medals
Gold
Kyle Chalmers – Men’s 100m Freestyle
Kaylee McKeown – Women’s 200m Backstroke
Matt Levy – Men’s 50m Freestyle S7
Emma McKeon – Women’s 50m Butterfly
Elijah Winnington, Flynn Southam, Zac Incerti, Mack Horton – Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay
Silver
Kaylee McKeown – Women’s 200m Individual Medley
Holly Barratt – Women’s 50m Butterfly
