The Launceston 16-year-old said she will have the world’s best swimmer in her sights when she reaches the Hungarian capital of Budapest.

American golden girl Katie Ledecky has set freestyle world records over 400, 800 and 1500 metres, claimed five Olympic gold medals including the coveted 200, 400 and 800m hat-trick in Rio de Janeiro and amassed nine titles at world championships.

Titmus is embracing the challenge of taking on Ledecky in the 200, 400 and 800m freestyle between July 14 and 30.

“She’s not unbeatable, she’s a human like the rest of us and it’s really exciting that we have someone like Katie in women’s freestyle at the moment to help drive all of us,” Titmus said. “She’s another person just like me and there for the same reason to race as best as she can.

“I try not to think about what she’s going to do because I just want to think about my own race and be as close as I can to her.”

The former Riverside and Launceston Aquatic swimmer said Dean Boxall, her coach at Queensland’s St Peter’s Western Swim Club and in the national team, rarely completes a training session without refering to Ledecky.

“He mentions her all the time but it’s used to drive me.

“Obviously it’s a big goal to be as close as I can to her but I just want to go there and see how all the other swimmers prepare.”

“It will be a really big learning experience.”

Titmus announced herself on the national stage at April’s Australian Swimming Championships in Brisbane, qualifying for the world champs with a string of outstanding freestyle swims.

Fresh from success at the world short-course championships, the former St Patrick’s College student claimed national titles in the 400 and 800m freestyle and a second-place finish in the 200m behind Olympic bronze medallist Emma McKeon.

Titmus hopes to continue her dream run in Hungary and at next year’s Commonwealth Games in her adopted home state on the Gold Coast.

“It’s two years this month since I’ve been in Queensland and since moving across to Dean a year ago I’ve kind of sky-rocketed with improvement,” she told Channel Seven in Queensland.

“I’ve improved my race tactics and training physically and mentally and hopefully I can put some good performances together at Budapest.”

Boxall also hopes the challenge of facing Ledecky will inspire Titmus.

“If we can go there, compete against her and get some great feedback, we’re going to be in a really good position at the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“She’s got to learn from the best, from Katie Ledecky. You’re not going to learn for the next seven months without going against the best.

“I’ve never seen a 16-year-old like her. I throw the kitchen sink at her at training every session and basically she just bats it away. It’s fantastic.

“If Ariarne can get herself in a final she is going to give herself a shot.”

Titmus will compete at a grand prix in Paris this weekend before a camp in the Netherlands after which the team heads south to Hungary.