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It’s taken many years for Emily Seebohm to get to the top of the medal podium in the 100 backstroke at a major international meet, but she finally made it happen at the FINA world championships.
Ten minutes after taking the gold in 58.26, Seebohm was still in disbelief about finally winning after five previous unsuccessful attempts.
“Someone slap me or something,” she said. “It doesn’t feel real! It’s the best thing I’ve ever experienced, and I just can’t wait to see my parents and give them a big hug.”
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Seebohm faced a couple of stumbles in the journey to her first world title. She dislocated her kneecap in May, making her appearance at worlds in doubt for a few weeks. She was also looking for a new coach, but all seems to be in sync for the 23-year-old.
She spent the time in the ready room with a positive attitude, and she said that was a big help before walking out to race.
“I went in there tonight, and I smiled, I laughed, I had fun with the girls,” she said. “That’s what I had forgotten. I was taking it too seriously and not enjoying every moment that I had. I’m over the moon because I got to enjoy every second of it. I wasn’t terrified, I wasn’t nervous.”
She was able to give a lot of comforting advice to teammate Madison Wilson, who was racing in her first major international final and finished second.
“I know she was really nervous last night being in lane four,” Seebohm said. “I told her to just take your time and enjoy it. Something I would have done back in the day was I wouldn’t wear tracksuit pants because I’d be too nervous that they’d start without me. As you get older and you experience it, it’s easier to enjoy those moments.”
Something else that helped Seebohm during the race was singing the song “I Am A Girl” to herself during the first 50 meters.
“It’s about kicking (butt) and being a girl,” she said. “So, I thought that was very appropriate.”
