Fran Halsall breaks British 50 back record at Tokyo World Cup

Fran Halsall broke a national record that was less than a year old while winning the 50 backstroke at the Tokyo World Cup event.

Halsall went 26.42, sneaking just .03 under the old national record of 26.45. That mark was set last December by Lizzie Simmonds.

Simmonds was actually also in the race in Tokyo, taking 7th with a 26.96. She was the 3rd-best British swimmer in the event, with Halsall and Georgia Davies finishing in the top 4.

That now means Halsall owns 6 of Great Britain’s short course records. She already held the 50, 100 and 200 frees along with the 50 and 100 flys. It would seem Halsall could have a shot at the 100 back, also held by Simmonds, but she is not entered in that event tomorrow.

Full Tokyo World Cup recap here.