FINA World Championships Predictions: Women’s 200 Back

Photo Courtesy: R-Sport / MIA Rossiya Segodnya

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At the 2015 FINA World Championships, Emily Seebohm ran down and passed both Katinka Hosszu and Missy Franklin to win her first World title in the 200 back. A year later, she didn’t even make the Olympic final in the event.

As for Hosszu, she was heavily favored to win gold in the 200 back in Rio, having already won three other golds at that point in the meet. In the final, Hosszu led for the entire race before Maya DiRado ran her down and caught her on the last stroke.

DiRado is now retired and Franklin absent, so the top American coming into the meet—and actually the top swimmer in the world right now—is Kathleen Baker, the Olympic silver medalist in the 100 back.

Canada’s two swimmers could make a big push here as well, with Olympic bronze medalist Hilary Caldwell and 100 back World No. 1 Kylie Masse both in the field.

“I think we have the potential for two women on the podium in the 200 backstroke,” Caldwell said. “That’s a pretty incredible statistic, and I couldn’t tell you the last time Canada has had two people on the podium in one event.”

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 200 Back

Current Records:

World Record: Missy Franklin, USA (2012) — 2:04.06
Championship Record: Missy Franklin, USA (2013) — 2:04.76
American Record: Missy Franklin (2012) — 2:04.06

2015 World Champion: Emily Seebohm, AUS — 2:05.81
2016 Olympic Gold Medalist: Maya DiRado, USA — 2:05.99
2017 World No. 1: Kathleen Baker, USA — 2:06.38

Swimming World Predictions

David Rieder’s Picks:

Gold: Katinka Hosszu, HUN
Silver: Kathleen Baker, USA
Bronze: Emily Seebohm, AUS

John Lohn’s Picks:

Gold: Emily Seebohm, AUS
Silver: Kathleen Baker, USA
Bronze: Katinka Hosszu, HUN

Andy Ross’ Picks:

Gold: Kathleen Baker, USA
Silver: Emily Seebohm, AUS
Bronze: Katinka Hosszu, HUN

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commonwombat

7 years ago

Tricky event to call this one …. just like in Rio. Outside the “suits” and Franklin in her 2011-2013 pomp, international times have been much more muted with World/Olympic medals being decided in the 2.05high/2.06s. DiRado was not objectively the best 200 backstroker in Rio, but due to others being off their game or paying for their packed race schedule; she only had to be the best on that given night … and due cudos to her for being so.

Like the 100back, will this be the time that the next generation (Masse/Baker) take over the show from the previous (Seebohm/Hosszu) ? Hard to know …. and Hosszu always remains a “will she/won’t she as regards which events she decides to pursue fully at these meets. Whilst Seebohm’s health is much better this year and still has to be seen as a factor, I cannot help thinking her peak “window of opportunity” has passed and that this may be the last time we see her competing at LCM Worlds.

Am tentatively leaning towards a “changing of the guard” …. key word “tentatively”