In the final individual race of his career, South African Cameron van der Burgh set a new championship record in the 50 breaststroke en route to another short course Worlds title. Van der Burgh touched first in 25.41, breaking the 2014 championship record and falling just .16 short of his own world record from 2009. Van der Burgh won the 100 breast earlier in the meet, and announced shortly thereafter that he would be retiring from competitive swimming at the end of the competition.
Finishing in second was Ilya Shymanovich of Belarus in 25.77. Shymanovich also grabbed silver behind van der Burgh in the 100 breast earlier in the meet. In third was Brazilian Felipe Lima in 25.80, narrowly beating out Russian Kirill Prigoda (25.83) for a spot on the podium.
What a way to end a career! @Cameronvdburgh won his last final, 50m Breaststroke, and broke a new #ChampionshipsRecord! Legend! ????? pic.twitter.com/DL4UgTQvh9
— FINA (@fina1908) December 16, 2018
Good luck in the future. Champion!
That’s an awesome exclamation point to an amazing career! Congrats!!
Congratulations
Arrie Botha
That’s how you end a World class career!