Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson has been a mainstay on this year’s World Cup Series, scoring gold medal swims in Hong Kong, Beijing and Doha in the 100m breaststroke event. She racked up very respectable times in those efforts, clocking marks of 1:07.91, 1:07.39 and 1:07.83, respectively, but she blew that entire set away with her race today in Dubai.
Coming into the Dubai World Cup stop, Atkinson’s personal best was her national record-setting time of 1:06.21 she registered during the semifinals at this summer’s World Championships, demonstrating just a taste of what we all know this 26-year-old is capable of. At that meet, Atkinson went on to win the bronze in the 100m breaststroke event in a final time of 1:06.42.
But Atkinson took things to an entirely new level today, clocking the first sub-1:06 time of her career at 1:05.93. Atkinson took today’s race out hard, touching in 30.55 at the 50m mark, which in itself sits as the fastest 50m breaststroke time in the world this year. Atkinson finished the back half in 35.38 for her final time of 1:05.93 to win the gold and set a new Jamaican National Record.
Here are her 2 fastest times with splits compared:
From Kazan – 30.91, 35.30 = 1:06.21
From Dubai – 30.55, 35.38 = 1:05.93
Atkinson now ties with Danish swimmer Rikke Pedersen as the 16th-fastest performer of all time.
She’ll have to go at least a half second faster to medal in Rio. There’s quite a bit of depth in this event.
1:04.35 (Meilutyte)
1:05.02 (Efimova)
1:05.18 (Hardy)
1:05.88 (Watanabe)
the other Russian/Turkish girl who swam 2:19 200 breast
1:05.64 (Meili)
1:05.92 (Larson)
There are now at least 8 women globally who can swim sub 1:06. To be sure, a sub 1:05 may be in the cards for medaling.
What is Alia Atkinson’s secret who suddenly is swimming so much faster at the age of 26 than she was at the age of 18-22?
#WhatWouldBoboAsk
It is called hard work and dedication. Don’t join a group of persons who type without thinking first.
ilikepsych…you should get the facts before you make a comment like this. It’s obvious that Alia worked very hard to accomplish this incredible time. You should keep quiet if you have nothing good to say.
As a Jamaican, as the parent of a swimmer and as someone who knows Alia and knows how hard she works I am at a loss how “ilikepsych” has categorically stated that Alia’s performance is as a result of doping. Unless “ilikepsych” has irrefutable proof alia doping I would suggest that we just congratulate her on her awesome performance. Jamaicans will continue to “jaminate” the sporting arenas without having need to use dope!!
I think Ilikepsych was trying to make a joke and it just fell flat.
Congratulations Alia on your awesome performance!
Nonsense – What men’s 50 meter world record is Anonymoose referring to: Alia’s second 50 of her 100 meters is 35.38 (Note: this was not the fastest second half in the finals)
NOTE : men’s world records:
50 free – 20.91
50 Breast – 26.42
50 Back = 24.04
50 Fly – 22.43
exactly, when the article was released it said her second split would be 25.38 (oviously a typo) but was corrected some time later. im sorry i didnt think about, that people who read it later than myself and see the correct splits oviously wont understand my comment
What men’s 50m world record is Alia breaking on the second 50 of her 100 meter swim, which was 35.38
NOTE: Men’s World record
50 free – 20.91
50 back – 24.04
50 Breast – 26.42
50 fly – 22.43
ANONYMOOSE- am I missing something here?
like i explained above, there was a typo saying her 2nd split would be 25.38 which was corrected apparently before anybody but me and maybe ILIKEPSYCH could see. not a big deal but now my comment creates confusion :/ im sorry i didnt think that far
LOL y does she have to be doping. I watched her swim at junior nationals 9 years ago and have followed her closely. I swam and competed at juniors that same year 2005. She has put in the work and has progressed. Not to mention over an 10 yr time period. Please be more knowledgeable before posting ignorant comments. This girl has always had phenomenal front end speed. Now she has developed the back half as well while maintaining her explosiveness, SO PLEASE STOP WITH THE DOPING COMMENTS