Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus has world 400m record obliterated by Chinese young-gun Li Bingjie

Chinese swimming sensation Li Bingjie has swamped Ariarne Titmus‘ 400-metre short course freestyle record by a massive 2.6 seconds – making for a mouthwatering battle when the golden girl takes on the young-gun at their next meet.

The 20-year-old raced to a time of 3:51.30 at the Chinese swimming championships, taking over Titmus and setting a new world record in the process.

Titmus, a two-time gold medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, set the previous record at the short course swimming champs in 2018.

20-year-old rising star Li Bingjie pumps her fist after breaking the 400m short course freestyle world record

Bingjie was awarded bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, logging a time of 4:01.08, almost four and a half seconds behind the Australian. 

The enormity of her record rocked social media and the swimming world, as 16-year-old Canadian Summer Mcintosh and American Katie Ledecky both broke Titmus’ record, swimming sub 3:53.

CODE sports journalist Lachlan McKirdy tweeted: ‘Big news in the swimming world, Ariarne Titmus’ 400m short course world record has just been absolutely obliterated.’

American swimmer Kyle Sockwell wrote ‘NEW WORLD RECORD! China’s Li Bingjie just went 3:51.30 in the 400m freestyle and OBLITERATED the old World Record time of 3:53.92 by Ariarne Titmus.’

Ariarne Titmus stunned after setting the new world record for the women’s 400m long course during the Aussie Swim Championships in Adelaide during May

After touching the wall, little reaction was made when Bingjie’s speedy time flashed on the screen. 

It wasn’t until she took her goggles off and saw the ‘WR’ in-inscription that she had indeed smashed the world record. 

22-year-old Titmus still holds the long course 400m freestyle record, breaking it at the 2022 Australian swimming trials. 

Titmus poses with her gold medal for the 200m freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games – it was her first ever Olympics appearance

16-year-old Canadian Summer Mcintosh strokes down the pool during the Women’s 400m freestyle final at the FINA Swimming World Cup, October 28

Titmus has steered clear of representing Australia at the world short course titles in December, robbing fans of would’ve been a spectacular race between four rising competitors. 

Ledecky went on to flaunt her status as one of the best distance swimmers of all time, breaking through yet another world record time in the 1500m freestyle, smashing it by 10 seconds. 

Aussie pool star Kyle Chalmers took out his trademark 100m freestyle event at the Toronto circuit, with a time of 45.52. 

Binjie went on to set a new Asian record for the 1500m freestyle and a national record for the 200m freestyle, capping off a terrific championship appearance.