World Championships, Day 8 Finals: Isaac Cooper Becomes First Australian Man To Win 50 Back Title
Isaac Cooper became the first Australian man to win the 50m backstroke title when he led from start to finish for victory in Doha.
Matt Welsh claimed silver at consecutive worlds in 2003 and 2005 as well as bronze at Fukuoka 2001 when the race was first added to the World Championship programme.
Cooper though was the first to top the podium when he came home in 24.13 ahead of 2023 champion Hunter Armstrong, who won his third straight medal in the event in 24.33.
Ksawery Masiuk claimed bronze in 24.44, matching his third from Budapest 2022.
It was the first individual medal for the 20-year-old Cooper in international long-course waters and his second trip to the podium in Doha after Australia won silver in the mixed medley relay.
Pieter Coetze, the 200 bronze medallist, was fourth in 24.59 ahead of Ole Braunschweig (24.74), Hugo Gonzalez (24.77), Michele Lamberti (24.82) and Michael Andrew (24.86).
