Glasgow: Not being able to beat Kyle Chalmers always ate away at Flynn Southam, a precocious young swimmer with a bright future who had never quite delivered as an individual on the international stage after bursting onto the scene in 2022.

Southam was convinced an outstanding block of training since last year’s world championships in Singapore would finally allow him to topple Chalmers in the 100 metres freestyle at Australia’s selection trials last month – something no Australian had done since Cam McEvoy in 2017.

He faded badly to finish second in 47.94 seconds as Chalmers chalked up another win.

Southam promised himself it would not happen again, admitting afterwards he took the defeat “very personally”.

Seven weeks on, Southam ended Chalmers’ decade-long grip on the event in emphatic fashion at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow before firing back at suggestions he was merely a relay swimmer, declaring he wants to become the world’s best in the blue-riband event that his close friend has dominated for years.

As Australia equalled its record haul of 28 swimming gold medals at a Commonwealth Games with another five victories on the penultimate night in the pool, Southam officially stepped out of Chalmers’ shadow with a commanding win in a world-class time of 47.13 that further fuelled belief he can contend for an Olympic medal in Los Angeles in 2028.

The 21-year-old said he would celebrate with a Great Northern beer and a fishing trip when he returned home after finally fulfilling years of promise.

An eye-catching lead-off split of 47.09 in Australia’s victorious 4x100m freestyle relay on Friday – slicing 0.6 seconds off his personal best and finishing just 0.01 seconds off Chalmers’ lifetime best – only heightened expectations. But Southam backed up his pre-race declaration that he could beat the 2016 Rio Olympic champion, touching in 47.13 while Chalmers settled for third in 47.74. Wales’ Matt Richards was second in 47.64.

It was the first time Chalmers had lost a 100m freestyle final to another Australian at an international meet, prompting the 28-year-old to openly question whether he would make it to the Los Angeles Olympics as he balances elite swimming with life as a new father.

“It’s pretty incredible. I had a lot of people doubting me and saying my successes only came from relays,” Southam said. “That’s really pissed me off and motivated me to be the best in the world.

“I was doubting myself as I was walking out, but it’s about being able to turn that voice down. If I swam my game plan, no one was going to beat me.

“I’ve been doing stuff in training that I know only a couple of people in the world can do better than me. I’ve got the utmost respect for Kyle and everything he has accomplished. It’s my time to shine and I am here to stay.”

Chalmers, a world champion in 2023 and silver medallist at the last Olympics in Paris two years ago, has proven over the past 10 years he is a formidable man to race, particularly with his back-end speed in second laps. His presence is like few others on the pool deck.

But as Southam went out hard and took a 0.4 second lead at the turn, Chalmers realised deep down he was not going to be able to hang on.

The veteran gave Southam a pat on the head after the race before telling him in the marshalling area for the medal ceremony: “This is your moment. I’m so proud of you. Enjoy singing the anthem.”

There is not a hint of animosity between the pair. Chalmers was genuinely thrilled for his relay partner, even as he admitted the arrival of his newborn daughter had changed his priorities and affected his preparation this year.

Asked if the next Olympics remained a certainty, Chalmers said: “It’s never a lock for anyone, right? I’m going to be 30 years old. I would love to get to that point, but I’m also a realist and know that what is important to me now is my wife and daughter. If I don’t get to that point, I’m not going to be disappointed. I would love to get to that point but it’s going to be very challenging.

“I’m not an 18-year-old kid who’s got no other things going on in life. I really have to decide what is best for my daughter and give her the best upbringing. I don’t want to be a selfish parent. I desperately want to be in LA, but yeah, you have to work that out being a parent.”

For all the debate about the standard of these Commonwealth Games and Australia’s medal avalanche, do not underestimate what Southam achieved and how that will benefit his mindset. He remains well behind Pan Zhanle’s world record of 46.40 and is yet to reach the level of Romanian star David Popovici, but this performance could prove the making of him. McEvoy’s Australian record of 47.04 is in danger.

“Kyle and I have the utmost respect for each other but it’s my time to shine,” Southam said. “I’ve been due for this and this is my breakout meet. Four years ago, I came here [to the UK] as a boy. Now I’m a man. I belong here.

“A want to have a sharp axe and only strike once and that’s what I did just then.”

Meanwhile, Jenna Forrester (200m individual medley) and Lani Pallister (800m freestyle) claimed their third individual gold medals of the Games.

Pallister was satisfied with another title but disappointed by her time, while her coach Dean Boxall’s typically expressionless reaction after she clocked 8:11.12 – more than 13 seconds ahead of New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather but five seconds outside her personal best – reinforced that the focus remains firmly on Los Angeles.

Kirralee Hayes also struck gold in the women’s S13 50m freestyle.

Australia rounded out the night by winning the mixed 4x100m medley relay, with Meg Harris producing a superb anchor leg to secure the Dolphins’ 28th swimming gold medal of these Games.

It equalled the team’s record haul from the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and eclipsed the 25 won in Birmingham four years ago. Whatever the arguments about the depth of competition, Australia’s dominance has been undeniable.

Get around our Commonwealth Games coverage

• King of Scotland: Idi Amin’s grandson vows to go for boxing gold in Glasgow
• As it happened: A record night at the track and huge haul in the pool
• Michael Gleeson: This was Australia’s golden night of athletics

Follow our coverage of the Commonwealth Games with live blogs covering every moment of the action from 6pm AEST daily.** **