Editorial content for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships is sponsored by FINIS, a longtime partner of Swimming World and leading innovator of suits, goggles and equipment. World Championships, Day Six Prelims: Sarah Sjostrom Sets Pace in 50 Fly Fukuoka Debut Sarah Sjostrom has made a name for herself through the years – nearly decades – with the versatility and depth of her programs. At age 29, she’s trimmed it back, at least for this World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka. The power that has made her a global superstar remains, though. In her first individual swim of the meet, Sjostrom went 25.04 to lead the way in prelims of the women’s 50 butterfly at Marine Messe Hall on Friday. Second was Zhang Yufei in 25.33, with Rikako Ikee getting the home fans going in 25.50 for the third seed. Both Americans are through easily, with Gretchen Walsh sixth in 25.78 and Torri Huske ninth in 25.98. The 50 brought one surprise, with Maggie MacNeil failing to make it out of prelims. The Short-Course World Champ in this event last year was 19th in prelims, in 26.33, a tenth behind teammate Katerine Savard, who tied for 15th with Kim Busch. MacNeil was the victim of a slow sixth heat of seven, in which she finished fifth. Walsh won the heat with Huske second. Third was Sweden’s Sara Junevik in 26.04, followed by Maaike de Waard of the Netherlands in 26.07. They’re 11th and 13th, respectively. Also missing the final from that heat is Australian Brianna Throssell, who went 26.30. France’s Melanie Henique outtouched Farida Osman in the first heat. Henique is the fourth seed in 25.75, .02 up on the Egyptian. Slovenian Neza Klancar is eighth. Sjostrom announced earlier this month that she would opt out of the 100 free in Fukuoka, leaving her with the 50 fly and 50 free, all at the end of the eight-day Worlds program. She is the four-time reigning 50 fly champ and has won 20 career World Championships medals.
