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. Worlds: Kaylee McKeown’s Fukuoka Adversity Makes for ‘Stepping Stone’ to Paris Kaylee McKeown’s World Aquatics Championships began with disappointment and acrimony. Since then, it’s been unbroken triumph. The Australian added a second gold medal of the meet by winning the women’s 50 backstroke Thursday night at Marine Messe Hall. It puts her in position for a backstroke triple, with the 200 back still to come. Considering the way that she started her week, disqualified from the 200 individual medley at the semifinal stage Sunday night in the meet’s very first event, it’s been quite the rally. McKeown is clear that that wasn’t the plan. But the reigning 100 back and 200 back gold medalist came to Japan hoping to burnish her toughness ahead of the Paris Games next summer. She’s been tested by circumstances and come through with flying colors. “This is a perfect stepping stone for Paris,” McKeown said. “The more that I can do here and the more I put myself under stress and pressure and just emotionally and physically as well, the better off I’ll be next year, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. I didn’t come into the meet with any goals of PBing, records, podiums at all. I just wanted to get through my races, heats, semis and finals, and I’ve been able to do that.” Whether or not it was the goal, she continues to push the pace. Her time of 27.08 Thursday night was an Oceania record. It edged out Regan Smith of the U.S. by .03 seconds for gold. McKeown also claimed gold in the women’s 100 back in 57.53, again at the expense of Smith by a half-second. That time is a meet record and within .08 of her world record. She also led off in 58.03 to help the Aussies win silver in the mixed medley relay. McKeown doesn’t always think of herself as a sprint backstroker. The gold Thursday was her first in a 50 in international competition since the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics. “I’ve never actually podiumed for a 50,” McKeown said. “I’ve always come out like fourth or worse off, so it’s really nice to be able to share that podium with some amazing girls.” She was third in the event at the Commonwealth Games last summer, behind Kylie Masse and compatriot Mollie O’Callaghan. (Masse was fourth Thursday in 27.28, .08 behind Lauren Cox for the final podium spot; O’Callaghan didn’t swim it.) The medal is McKeown’s 10th career at World Championships. Three are gold, seven silver, with all three golds and five total as individual medals. Heat of the 200 back are Friday morning. McKeown holds the world record in 2:03.14. She’ll have Smith and Masse to contend with again. But she’s feeling confident, in her form in the pool and her ability to turn the page emotionally. “I’m very happy that I’ve got some good speed, so fingers crossed that my speed can carry into some endurance for the 200 tomorrow,” she said. “I’m pretty nervous for it, but I’m excited to get it out of the way.”
