BREAKING: Kaylee McKeown Smashes 200m Backstroke World Record with a Stunning 2:03.14 In Sydney
Australian swimming golden girl Kaylee McKeown has tonight set the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre alight smashing the 200m backstroke world record on the opening night of finals at the 2023 NSW State Open Championships.
The 21-year-old from Griffith University in Queensland clocked a time of 2:03.14 to clip 0.21 seconds off American Regan Smith’s time set at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju.
McKeown was in the zone when she walked onto pool deck, 20 minutes before the scheduled start of the race, but wasted no time setting the pace with her 29.34 for the first 50m.
The Olympic, World and Commonwealth Games champion then split 1:00.73 at the 100m mark and 1:31.84 at the 150m mark.
“After the Olympics I found it hard to get up behind the blocks again….I’m not sure, maybe after that Olympic phase, training a lot harder and training with guys in my squad at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre,” McKeown said.
“I found a new love for the sport and it just goes to show that a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer,. I haven’t necessarily changed anything in my program or training wise. It’s just that I’m happier.
“The race was actually swum 20 minutes earlier than it was scheduled on the time line – I was so rushed…and talking to Molly I said ”what’s going on…?”
“I actually like sitting in marshalling and kind of gathering my thoughts before my race..but I had no time for that…so I just pulled up my straps and went for it really…but I love racing….it’s what we train for…
“I knew it was going to be a new level heading into the Olympics and I think it’s great seeing Regan Smith doing all her double ups – it’s scary and its daunting to me looking when you are looking at a competitor or competitors that fierce – even Mollie O’Callaghan in Australia – the backstroke depth is definitely coming back at that top level so it’s exciting.”
Kaylee’s last three 50s were a joy to watch. So smooth.
.21 seconds off the record is smashing it? Perhaps Ian Hanson thinks this was a 50 instead of 200?