Aussies Emma McKeon and Kaylee McKeown Fire Warning Shots at Sydney Open
A month out from the Australian Olympic Trials, Emma McKeon and Kaylee McKeown delivered statement performances on Friday morning, while racing at the Sydney Open.
There has been a shift in the tout sheet for the women’s 100-meter freestyle. While Cate Campbell has long been the premier sprinter Down Under, an argument can be made that McKeon will be the favorite to claim the 100 freestyle crown in the quest for Tokyo Olympic bids.
Continuing her string of strong performances, McKeon produced a personal-best time of 52.29 to prevail at the Sydney Aquatic Centre, the venue for this final tuneup for the Aussie Trials. McKeon, often overshadowed, was out in 25.71 and came home in 26.58 to claim victory by nearly a second over Campbell, who touched the wall in 53.27. McKeon’s time is the 14th-fastest in history and makes her the sixth-fastest performer of all-time.
Ahead of the Australian Trials and Olympic Games, McKeon is a leading contender in three events – the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly. She will also be a key factor on all three of Australia’s relays and is carrying – and still building – significant momentum into the summer.
Meanwhile, McKeown was spectacular in the 200 backstroke, as she notched the fourth-fastest time in the history of the event with a four-lap mark of 2:04.31. McKeon bettered her personal best of 2:04.49, which she set last year, and beat Emily Seebohm (2:07.06) by more than two seconds. McKeown is on a collision course for a summer duel with American teenager Regan Smith, the world-record holder in both backstroke events.
In the men’s 100 freestyle, reigning Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers registered a first-place finish, as he stopped the clock in 49.34.
Well deserved and congratulations to you all !