FINA World Championships Predictions: Women’s 50 Free

Photo Courtesy: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

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Sarah Sjostrom missed the final of the women’s 50 free in Rio, but she has turned her fortunes in that event around over the past year, and she now sits well clear of anyone else in the world rankings heading into the FINA World Championships.

Sjostrom’s best time this year is 23.83, the second-fastest mark in history behind Britta Steffen’s eight-year-old world record. Sjostrom could be worn down by this point in the World schedule, on the eighth and final day of competition, but the world record definitely could come under fire.

But if she does falter, there are plenty of logical contenders to step into that void: The three Olympic medalists from last year (Pernille Blume, Simone Manuel and Aliaksandra Herasimenia), the reigning World Champion (Bronte Campbell) and the 2012 Olympic champion (Ranomi Kromowidjojo).

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 50 Free

Current Records:

World Record: Britta Steffen, GER (2009) — 23.73
Championship Record: Britta Steffen, GER (2009) — 23.73
American Record: Dara Torres (2008) — 24.07

2015 World Champion: Bronte Campbell, AUS — 24.12
2016 Olympic Gold Medalist: Pernille Blume, DEN — 24.07
2017 World No. 1: Sarah Sjostrom, SWE — 23.83

Swimming World Predictions

David Rieder’s Picks:

Gold: Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
Silver: Pernille Blume, DEN
Bronze: Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED

John Lohn’s Picks:

Gold: Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
Silver: Simone Manuel, USA
Bronze: Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED

Andy Ross’ Picks:

Gold: Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
Silver: Simone Manuel, USA
Bronze: Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED

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commonwombat

7 years ago

Whilst 50’s will always have a more random characteristic to 100s, its hard to see (on 2017 performance) SS being beaten short of illness or injury intervention.

Minors = tricky. Blume’s 2017 performances have indicated that her Rio gold should not be seen as a one-off. Kromowidjojo remains formidable and much as I’m no particular member of the Manuel fan club, her claims must be respected. Am discounting C2 who really hasn’t swum a fast 50 since 2015 and with current shoulder niggles, is not likely to do so in Budapest.

Brownish

7 years ago

Reply to commonwombat

It’s hard to see that someone will beat SS in any of her four individual races.
Two girls with 4 individual golds, will be three?

Michael Maloney

7 years ago

Reply to Brownish

4 indiv golds by 3 diff women…when until 2015 has never happened even once….too many unknowns except for KL…..Thats why it’s called the Ledecky Slam…right