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Kaylee McKeown Cements Legend Status With Historic Backstroke Trifecta

2023 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

One day after we saw the first man sweep all three distances of the same stroke at a World Championships we were treated to the same feat on the women’s side

Yesterday Qin Haiyang clinched his historic achievement by adding the 50m breast gold to his previous victories in the 100m and 200m. Tonight, it was Kaylee McKeown of Australia who got it done, capping off her trio in the 200m back.

McKeown claimed the 200m back gold this evening in a very quick result of 2:03.85 (1:00.81/1:03.04) within striking distance of her own World Record of 2:03.14 established earlier this year. The performance checks in as the 6th-fastest ever and the 22-year-old now owns 6 of the top 10 swims ever produced in this 200m back race.

Top 10 Women’s LCM 200 Backstroke Performances

    1. 2:03.14 – Kaylee McKeown (AUS) 2023
    2. 2:03.35 – Regan Smith (USA) 2019
    3. 2:03.69 – Regan Smith (USA) 2019
    4. 2:03.70 – Kaylee McKeown (AUS) 2023
    5. 2:03.80 – Regan Smith (USA) 2023
    6. 2:03.85 – Kaylee McKeown (AUS) 2023
    7. 2:04.06 – Missy Franklin (USA) 2012
    8. 2:04.18 – Kaylee McKeown (AUS) 2023
    9. 2:04.28 – Kaylee McKeown (AUS) 2021
    10. 2:04.31 – Kaylee McKeown (AUS) 2021
Tonight’s effort got the Aussie to the wall over a second ahead of Regan Smith of the United States who touched in 2:04.94 while China’s Peng Xuwei rounded out the podium in 2:06.74.McKeown claimed 50m back gold here in a time of 27.08, a new Oceanic Record while she also grabbed the top prize in the 100m with a result of 57.53, a Championships Record.

She is the reigning Olympic champion in both the 100m and 200m backstroke events, following up with 200m back gold last year in Budapest. McKeown also topped the 100m and 200m back podiums at last year’s Commonwealth Games.

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Mike Denes
1 year ago

Speaking of winning 50-100-200 at the same World Championships, how does it look if we include short course World Championships as well? Any other than Ryan Murphy (yeah, I know about the 50 back controversy) 2022 in Melbourne?

Last edited 1 year ago by Mike Denes
IRO
Reply to  Mike Denes
1 year ago

I’m pretty sure Rebecca Soni did that once.

Fukuoka Gold
Reply to  IRO
1 year ago

….

Last edited 1 year ago by Fukuoka Gold
Mike Denes
Reply to  IRO
1 year ago

Yes, Dubai 2010

Carlo
1 year ago

Kaylee seems capable of casually dropping a 57 100 back and a 2:03 200 back even when flat out exhausted.

Sub13
Reply to  Carlo
1 year ago

To go a 2:03 when she’s had an absolute monster of a schedule is so impressive

GrameziPT
1 year ago

Mcweown has a mental edge over Regan Smith. I hope Reagan can overcome that at some point (maybe next year or in time for a home Olympics) because I think smith can still get those WR back

WillW
Reply to  GrameziPT
1 year ago

She also possesses a physical edge. Why can’t everyone just accept that Kaylee McKeown the better swimmer? How many more times does she have to defeat Regan Smith? Aren’t the Tokyo Olympics and these world championships enough proof as to who the best – mentally and physically – is?

Fukuoka Gold
Reply to  WillW
1 year ago

These people are imagining Regan still holds WR and refuse realty lol

Big T
1 year ago

The GOAT Female Backstroke 100m 200m Olympic Gold medallist 50,10,200m World Champion 100m and 200m WR holder.

Wow
Reply to  Big T
1 year ago

Not yet.

Oceania
Reply to  Wow
1 year ago

Why not yet?

Fukuoka Gold
1 year ago

What a legend.

A shame about 200IM dq

Torchbearer
Reply to  Fukuoka Gold
1 year ago

I agree BUT I wonder if it helped her energy levels for the three Backstroke events…we will never know!

Australia Kings
1 year ago

Kaylee can be our own Phelps. Thorpe watch out..

Troyy
1 year ago

Regan’s 2:03 from trials should be in that list as well.

Emily Se-Bom Lee
Reply to  Troyy
1 year ago

and kaylee’s 2:04.18 should be ahead of her 2:04.28

Jasmine
1 year ago

Wow, we are so lucky to see not one, but two gold trifectas here! Congrats Kaylee!

Oceania
Reply to  Jasmine
1 year ago

3 golds

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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