Pallister creates world champs history, Cooper denied gold after ‘technical error’

Lani Pallister has written herself into the record books, becoming the first female swimmer to win three freestyle gold medals at a single world short course championships.

Her win in the women’s 1,500 metres freestyle in Melbourne followed Isaac Cooper’s silver medal in a controversial men’s 50m backstroke final, which had to be re-run.

Pallister was untouchable on Friday night, lapping some of her rivals before finishing in 15 minutes and 21.43 seconds.

She was more than 25 seconds clear of the field, while setting an Australian record in the process.

The daughter of former Australian distance swimming great Janelle Elford, Pallister opened the world titles on Tuesday with victory in the 400m freestyle final and then backed up a day later to win gold in the 800m freestyle.

She was also part of the Australian women’s 4x200m freestyle relay team that set a world record.

Pallister had a horror run with injury and illness over the past 18 months, undergoing heart surgery as well as battling an eating disorder and glandular fever.

She said she was thrilled with her results in Melbourne.

“I’m excited to go four from four. I couldn’t have asked for much better, it’s been an incredible experience,” Pallister said.

Shattered Cooper left with silver

Cooper was denied a gold medal in bizarre circumstances.

He was first home in the final but less than half the field completed the race after an alarm sounded due to what meet officials described as a “technical error”.

An hour later the final was re-run with Ryan Murphy of the United States touching ahead of Cooper.

Murphy’s winning time was 22.64, slower than Cooper’s initial time of 22.49, which would have been a world junior record and a personal best.

Cooper clocked 22.73 in his second effort to pick up the silver medal.

“I’ve been trying my best,” Cooper said.

“I’ve gone through so many low points and all I want to do is to be able to stand on top and every time I do I get knocked back again.”

Murphy said he felt Cooper deserved to claim the gold.

“I really feel for Isaac — he’s 18 and going for your first individual world title and that’s huge and an incredible accomplishment,” he said.