2023 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
- July 23 to 30, 2023
- Fukuoka, Japan
- Marine Messe Fukuoka
- LCM (50m)
- WORLD CHAMPS WATCH PARTY – DAILY
- Meet Central
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Entry Book
- Live Results (Omega)
- Day 1 Prelims Live Recap | Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
- Day 3 Prelims Live Recap | Day 3 Finals Live Recap
- Day 4 Prelims Live Recap | Day 4 Finals Live Recap
Kaylee McKeown became the 3rd-fastest woman in history in the 50 backstroke during day 5 finals at the 2023 World Championships. McKeown swam 27.08 to win gold in the backstroke sprint, beating out her own Australian record of 27.16 from 2021. She also reset the Oceanian record and Commonwealth record, both of which she previously held with that 27.16.
McKeown was just 0.02 seconds slower than the #2 performer in history, Zhao Jing, who swam 27.06 back in 2009. That swim from Jing was a world record at the time, which stood until 2018 when Liu Xiang took the mark under 27 for the first time with a swim of 26.98.
All-time Top Performers – Women’s 50 Backstroke
- Liu Xiang – 26.98 (2018)
- Zhao Jing – 27.06 (2009)
- Kaylee McKeon – 27.08 (2023)
- Kira Toussaint / Regan Smith – 27.10 (2021/2023)
- Fu Yuanhui – 27.11 (2015)
- Katharine Berkoff – 27.12 (2022)
- Etienne Medeiros – 27.14 (2017)
By dipping under 27.10, McKeown surpassed former #3 women Kira Toussaint and Regan Smith who hold the Dutch (and European) and American records, respectively, at 27.10. Smith swam 0.01 slower than her PB from semis in the final, hitting 27.11 for silver and Lauren Cox from Great Britain hit 27.20 for bronze.
McKeown holds Australian records in all three backstroke events and the 50 backstroke is the only one in which she doesn’t also hold the world record. She swam both world records earlier this year, hitting 57.45 in the 200 and 2:03.14 in the 200. Having won the 100 backstroke earlier on in the meet, this is McKeown’s second individual gold medal of the meet.
Question: What do commenters think the thing that gives McKeown the edge over Smith? It looks to me like she has a more efficient pull; Regan has to pump up the tempo to achieve close to the times McKeown swims.
Also, how do you pronounce KcKeown correctly? Does the w make a sound, or is it basically the same as McKeon?
As per Kaylee’s instagram – “Mck-Q-n, not Mck-cow-n”
“Mc-You-En”
Smith’s start & breakout wasn’t as sharp as it often is and McKeown’s was quite good. That was the difference in today’s race from where I sit.
Kaylee start used to be shit.
Her start has improved a lot.
When was it sh-t? She had the best start in the 100 final in Tokyo.
Kaylee Mackeown has a good chance to be the first swimmer ever to win 50-100-200 at worlds
The 200 is her best event. 50 is 5th best after the IMs (at least that was the case before today). If anyone was ever going to do it now would be the time.
Her post race interview was very telling of her priorities:
The stupid British interviewer was trying to talk her up, and Kaylee was like meh, it’s only 50 😁
Clearly 200 IM is ahead on her list.
He’s an Aussie isn’t he?
Only the 200 was this year. Kaylee broke the 100 world record of 57.45 at 2021 trials and then did 57.47 at the Olympics …
3-1-1 all time in the three backstrokes. Is it greedy to want her to drop 0.10 to perfect it?