women’s 100m freestyle final, Mollie O’Callaghan second to Marrit Steenbergen, men 4x200m freestyle relay

Defending champion Marrit Steenbergen denied Mollie O’Callaghan a sprint double at swimming’s world championships on Friday as the Dutchwoman won 100m freestyle gold in Singapore.

Steenbergen held off a late charge from O’Callaghan to touch the wall in 52.55sec, forcing her Australian rival to settle for second in 52.67.

American Torri Huske, who withdrew from a race earlier in the week after suffering from a stomach bug, was third in 52.89.

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Steenbergen won world championship gold in the event in Doha last year in a field missing several big names saving themselves for the Paris Olympics.

“In Doha I was like, this is crazy to win, but in this field I don’t know what to feel, I’m just so happy,” said the 25-year-old.

Steenbergen also won bronze with the Dutch team in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay this week in Singapore.

Marchand SMASHES WR by whopping 1.3s! | 00:47

“After the relay I knew I was in good shape but I was getting more nervous through the week and tonight I was feeling it a bit,” she said.

“I just tried to keep my calm.” Steenbergen’s win denied O’Callaghan her fourth gold medal of the week and her 12th world championship career title.

A win would have seen her eclipse retired great Ian Thorpe as Australia’s most decorated world championship swimmer.

O’Callaghan told Channel 9 after the race that she was exhausted by the meet, which was far busier for than her competitors, while she added that she was pleased with her effort after a “s**tshow of a year”.

O’Callaghan wins gold, Turner bronze | 01:10

“I’m tired, I’m not going to lie … none of those girls did what I did last night,” she said, having been fourth with just 25m left to swim.

“As I’ve said a thousand times, I’ve not had the best prep towards this.

“To do what I did tonight, last night and the nights before that, I am very proud.”

Huske picked up her second medal of the week after winning silver with the US women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team.

“I’ve never had such a roller coaster of a meet,” she said.

“I am really proud of that swim and that was I able to get back to kind of normal.” The overwhelming majority of the United States team has been battling acute gastroenteritis.

Elsewhere, Australia’s Matthew Temple booked his spot in the 100m butterfly final by finishing third in his semi, while Kaylee McKeown swam her way into the 200m backstroke final.