Summer McIntosh sets world record in 400m freestyle at Canadian swimming trials

Summer McIntosh is now the world record holder in the 400-metre freestyle event.

The 16-year-old swimming phenom electrified the hometown crowd with another memorable performance on Tuesday night at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on opening night of the national trials.

With her parents, Jill and Greg McIntosh in the crowd, Summer stopped the clock in a time of 3:56.08 in the 400-metre freestyle, breaking the world record held by Ariane Titmus of Australia.

It's her first world record — she holds many world junior and national records.

WATCH | McIntosh sets world record:

McIntosh was overrun with emotion after the race as she looked up at her parents cheering in the stands.

The normally composed and reserved teen broke down in tears.

"I'm not a crier," she told CBC Sports after the race.

McIntosh fought back tears as she described the moment.

"Over the past few years I've put my life into this. To be the best I can be. To achieve something like this, it was very unexpected. It was never in my dreams to do this tonight or even a few years ago. This just blows my mind."

Summer's head coach Brent Arckey, who travelled from Sarasota, Fla., for the event was equally emotional after the swim.

"I'm not really sure what to say right now. I'm trying to hold it all in. But celebrating her. This is a special thing," he said.

"I've seen her do some really special stuff in practice. I'm just super proud of her. She's one of the best racers I've ever seen."

Jill, who competed in swimming at the 1984 Olympics for Canada, has valuable experience to lean on to help guide her daughter.

She was bursting with pride as she watched Summer touch the wall on Tuesday night at trials.

"I'm so proud of Summer and the person she is foremost.