FINA World Championships Predictions: Women’s 100 Free

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Sarah Sjostrom has never won a major international title in a freestyle event, but it would be an upset if that doesn’t change at the FINA World Championships in Budapest. Her freestyle speed has taken a giant step forward this year under new coach Johan Wallberg.

Already this year, she’s posted a 52.08 in the 100 free, just two hundredths off Cate Campbell’s world record. Meanwhile, Campbell is the No. 2-ranked swimmer in the world this year, a full seven tenths behind Sjostrom, and she won’t even be in Budapest.

Co-Olympic gold medalists Simone Manuel and Penny Oleksiak will undoubtedly be in the hunt, as will 2012 gold medalist Ranomi Kromowidjojo, reigning World champion Bronte Campbell (Cate’s younger sister) and upstart American Mallory Comerford. But Sjostrom will be chasing the world record and, perhaps, a sub-52-second swim.

Read below to see what Swimming World’s trio of experts think will happen in Budapest. David Rieder, John Lohn and Andy Ross will each offer their predictions for who will finish on the podium.

Women’s 100 Free

Current Records:

World Record: Cate Campbell, AUS (2016) — 52.06
Championship Record: Britta Steffen, GER (2009) — 52.07
American Record: Simone Manuel, USA (2016) — 52.70

2015 World Champion: Bronte Campbell, AUS — 52.52
2016 Olympic Gold Medalist: Simone Manuel, USA & Penny Oleksiak, CAN — 52.70
2017 World No. 1: Sarah Sjostrom, SWE — 52.08

Swimming World Predictions

David Rieder’s Picks:

Gold: Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
Silver: Simone Manuel, USA
Bronze: Penny Oleksiak, CAN

John Lohn’s Picks:

Gold: Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
Silver: Simone Manuel, USA
Bronze: Penny Oleksiak, CAN

Andy Ross’ Picks:

Gold: Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
Silver: Bronte Campbell, AUS
Bronze: Simone Manuel, USA

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Nick Westaway

7 years ago

Will be interesting to see what Emma McKeon will do

commonwombat

7 years ago

Barring illness or injury, its extraordinarily unlikely SS will be defeated in this race (along with 50/100fly). She is NOT C1 … and doesn’t face the same circumstances (of being a last remaining hope of an overhyped but dramatically malfunctioning team).

Minors = very open.
– Oleksiak has to be rated … but has not produced anything near the times of 2016
– Manuel has to be respected … but will most likely face very different race circumstances to Rio and how will that impact her times/performance ?
– IF C2 were fully fit, she would be the nearest competition to SS of those present but the reality is that she is still negotiating the same shoulder issues that plagued her 2016. More competitive here than the 50, medal would surprise
– Comerford has a breakout US Trials but this is her first senior intl team. Could play out either way
– McKeon is a member of the sub53 club. Could contend IF on form but she is very hot/cold (even at same meet)
– Kromowidjojo is another member of the sub53 club, albeit not since 2013. She has often teased us in recent years without ever making that return. If its a slower race then she could be a factor but 50 more her race these days
Outside possibilities for finals at least may include Coleman (SWE) and maybe Blume (DEN)