Reigning Olympic champ Kyle Chalmers cruises to 100 metre freestyle heat win - ahead of a MAJOR day for Aussies in the pool
Kyle Chalmers' quest to defend his 100 metre freestyle Olympic title is off to a flying start in Tokyo.
The South Australian cruised to victory in his heat on Tuesday night to qualify third fastest for the semi-finals, just a touch behind Italian flyer Thomas Ceccon and US powerhouse Caeleb Dressel.
A satisfied Chalmers hopes to book a spot in the final in the first event of Wednesday's program.
'It's a good confidence booster,' the 23-year-old told Channel Seven afterwards.
Kyle Chalmers hopes to defend his 100 metre freestyle Olympic crown in Tokyo
'Seven months ago I had shoulder surgery, so still kind of coming back and trying to get under the 48-second marks. So to do that in the heat is really nice.'
'I felt really relaxed today. My job was to get through the semi-finals. I've ticked that box. It's good that it's early in the program tonight.'
Chalmers will return home with a guaranteed medal after his blistering anchor leg snatched bronze for Australia in the men's 4x 100 freestyle relay on Monday.
His semi-final will kick off what's shaping up to be a big day in the pool for Australia on Wednesday.
Ariarne Titmus will resume her fierce rivalry with American legend Katie Ledecky in the 200 metre freestyle final.
She will be in lane four after qualifying fastest for the final, where the 20-year-old hopes to ramp up her dominance against Ledecky after storming home to steal gold in the 400 metre event on Monday.
Fellow Aussie Madi Wilson will also be fighting for a spot on podium in the same race.
Ariarne Titmus will swim for the gold medal in the 200m freestyle finals at the Tokyo Olympics after scoring the fastest time in the semis on Tuesday
Brianna Throssell will also be in action Wednesday morning after qualifying ninth-fastest for the 200m butterfly semi-finals.
In the men's 800m freestyle, Jack McLoughlin - already with a silver medal from the 400m freestyle - was sixth-quickest into the final, finishing a solid third in his heat.
Zac Stubblety-Cook evidenced his medal prospects in the men's 200m breaststroke with a standout swim in the heats.
Stubblety-Cook clocked 2:07.37 to dead-heat with Arno Kamminga from the Netherlands.
Stubblety-Cook, who entered Tokyo with the world-leading time this year in the event, and Kamminga topped the heats with Australia's Matt Wilson 10th quickest and into the semi-finals.
Ariarne Titmus (pictured, right) is on track for another showdown with US star Kate Ledecky in Tokyo. The pair are pictured after the 400m final stunningly won by the Aussie
Australians will also be cheering on Maddy Gough and Kiah Melverton on the women's 1500m freestyle final.
Australia's 4x200m freestyle relay team of Alexander Graham, Mack Horton, Elijah Winnington and Zac Incerti were second-quickest in heats, with Great Britain almost two seconds clear of the field.
On the night program, Australian relay gold medalists Emma McKeon and Cate Campbell will contest the 100 metre freestyle womens heats.
Australia remains seventh on the medal tally with three gold, one silver and five bronze.
All three gold medals were in the pool.
Aussie swimmers in day six action
Morning Program (11.30am-1.40pm)
Men's 100m freestyle semi-finals - Kyle Chalmers
Women's 200m freestyle final - Ariarne Titmus, Madi Wilson
Women's 200m butterfly semi-finals - Brianna Throssell
Men's 200m breaststroke semi-finals - Zac Stubblety-Cook, Matt Wilson
Women's 1500m freestyle final - Maddy Gough, Kiah Melverton
Men's 4x200m freestyle relay final - Australia
Evening heats (8pm-10.30pm)
Women's 100m freestyle - Emma McKeon, Cate Campbell
Men's 200m backstroke - Tristan Hollard
Women's 200m breaststroke - Jenna Strauch, Abbey Harkin
Men's 200m individual medley - Mitch Larkin, Brendon Smith
Women's 4x200m freestyle relay (Bronte Campbell, Mollie O'Callaghan, Madi Wilson, Leah Neale, Meg Harris)