New Delhi:
Australia's Alicia Coutts spoiled teammate Emily Seebohm's quest for eight golds in the Commonwealth pool today but even she said she was surprised to win the women's 200m individual medley.
The 23-year-old Queenslander was behind as Seebohm showed her form in the backstroke and butterfly, but capitalised on the 18-year-old's weaker breaststroke to pull away going into the freestyle leg.
She kept her lead and finished nearly a second ahead of her rival in a new Games record of 2:09.70.
"I am very surprised how well I went," said Coutts. "I knew it was going to be tough against Emily. I am extremely happy with my time."
Stratford, Ontario swimmer Julia Wilkinson picked up Canada's first medal in the pool by taking bronze, topping a fourth in the Pan Pacifics in August.
Seebohm, who is top of the world rankings after her Pan Pacs win, was visibly disappointed with the result.
"It was a very tough race tonight. All credit to Alisha. You've just got to deal with it sometimes," she told reporters.
But she still has a chance to put her disappointment behind her as she is entered into eight events in New Delhi and is the Australia women's team rising star.
Hopes are high that she can emulate Aussie pool greats Ian Thorpe and Susie O'Neill, who each won six golds at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games and 2002 Manchester Games respectively.