FLASH! Summer McIntosh Sets World Record In 200 Fly; Lowers Mireia Belmonte’s 10-Year Standard
Summer McIntosh set a world record of 1:59.32 in the 200 fly in Budapest as she lowered Mireia Belmonte’s 2014 mark set when the Canadian was eight years old.
McIntosh set a WJR of 2:01.96 in prelims, a time that was also a Commonwealth and Canadian standard as she continues on her record-breaking bull run.
It was in the Duna Arena pool that McIntosh really made her golden breakthrough. She’d finished fourth on her Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2021 and later that year won three medals – including 4×2 gold – at the short-course worlds in Abu Dhabi.
But it was in Budapest where she really started her relentless march to the global podium at the World Championships in June 2022 with her first individual title coming in the 200 fly.
She returned to the pool on Thursday evening to post the new WR, going 0.29 inside Belmonte’s time of 1:59.61 that has stood since Doha 2014.
Regan Smith set an American record of 2:01.00 for silver with Elizabeth Dekkers replicating her Melbourne 2022 bronze in 2:02.91.
McIntosh said: “I am pretty over the moon. Yesterday having the day off was kind of nice to recollect myself after a crazy day one. And tomorrow I have another day off and then right back into the 400IM. So I am super-excited to just keep the meet rolling.”
The three-time Olympic champion watched on in the mixed zone where the athletes speak to media as teammate Ilya Kharun won the men’s 200 fly for a Canadian double.
She added: “I just think the Canadian team has been doing so well overall. It’s so motivating and we all feed off each other’s energy and that’s great. We are all supportive of each other because we understand what each other is going through in these big moments. And we have little celebrations which are awesome.
Smith said: “I had a bit of a tight double, 50m back then like 10 minutes later this race. It was taking one at a time, but the focus was on this final. I was very pleased with the silver. It was a best time and a USA record.”
Dekkers said: “I am really happy with the time. It’s nice just to go out to race and have fun. It’s great finishing the year on a high, so I am absolutely happy with that.”
