Olympic gold medallists Mollie O’Callaghan and Kyle Chambers have made a real splash in Queensland, taking out the 100m freestyle crowns at the Australian Open swimming championships.

A relaxed O’Callaghan won the women’s 100m freestyle in a solid time of 52.66 seconds on Monday night at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.

In promising signs ahead of major meets later in the year, the two-time world champion in this event took the Easter chocolates ahead of Meg Harris (53.36), with Olivia Wunsch (53.58) third and Shayna Jack (53.92) fourth.

It was a double dose of Special K that kick-started the opening night of finals, with Kyle Chalmers and Kaylee McKeown sending a loud message to selectors – and rivals – ahead of the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships.

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Chalmers stopped the clock at 48.39 to show his season remains on track ahead of his quest to defend the same event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Flynn Southam (48.80) touched second, with Kai Taylor third (48.94).

Chalmers was happy with his victory and the form of his compatriots in the lead-up to the Games.

“It’s always nice to get your hand on the wall first and win a race,” he said.

“To see the other boys do so well and really push me right to the end just shows where we’re at as a country in the 100 freestyle and the depth coming through.”

In the women’s 200m backstroke, world-beater Kaylee McKeown hit the wall in 2:05.66, with Hannah Fredericks (2:08.80) second and Jenna Forrester (2:10.74)  third.

Lani Pallister continued on her fine form of the past 12 months to cruise to victory in the 800m freestyle final with a world-class 8:11.28 – the third-fastest of all time.

The Australian swimming rials for the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs take place in Sydney from June 7-13.

The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow run from July 23-Aug 2.