2023 WORLD AQUATICS SWIMMING WORLD CUP – BUDAPEST
- Friday, October 20th – Sunday, October 22nd
- Budapest, Hungary
- LCM (50m)
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- Day 1 Prelims Recap | Day 1 Finals Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Recap | Day 2 Finals Recap
Kaylee McKeown broke her second world record in as many days on Saturday with a winning time of 57.33 in the 100-meter backstroke at the third and final stop of the World Cup series in Budapest, Hungary.
McKeown shaved .12 seconds off her own world record of 57.45 from 2021 as she blew away the field by nearly two seconds.
The 22-year-old Australian star has continued her undefeated streak on the World Cup series in epic fashion in Budapest, having also taken .12 seconds off the 50 back world record on Friday with a time of 26.86. McKeown is running away with the overall series crown, which comes with a six-figure bonus. She also earned $40,000 in bonuses the past couple days by breaking a pair of world records and securing two triple crowns, and will have the opportunity to add a third in the 200 back on Sunday.
McKeown flipped at the 50-meter mark in 28.15, five one-hundredths off her world record pace, before charging home in 29.18 for a new global standard of 57.33.
Before McKeown, Regan Smith held the world record at 57.57 from a relay leadoff at the 2019 World Championships. Only three women have ever been under 58 seconds in the event, with Canada’s Kylie Masse (57.70) being the other.
Splits Comparison:
| Kaylee McKeown, 2023 | Kaylee McKeown, 2021 | |
| 1st 50 | 28.15 | 28.10 |
| 2nd 50 | 29.18 | 29.35 |
| 57.33 | 57.45 |
WOMEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE — FINAL
World Record: 57.45 — Kaylee McKeown, Australia (2021)World Cup Record: 57.63 — Kaylee McKeown, Australia (2023)- World Junior Record: 57.57 — Regan Smith, United States (2019)
PODIUM:
- GOLD: Kaylee McKeown (Australia) — 57.33 *World Record*
- SILVER: Kylie Masse (Canada) — 59.26
- BRONZE: Ingrid Wilm (Canada) — 59.64
Despite breaking the 50 backstroke world record yesterday, McKeown still expressed surprise after the race that she was able to break this one today. She also reset her World Cup record of 57.63, continuing her streak of World Cup records in every backstroke race she’s swum at this World Cup series.
Well behind McKeown, the Canadian duo of Masse and Ingrid Wilm once again took the remaining spots on the podium. Both improved on their swims from a week ago, dipping under the 1:00 mark. Masse held 2nd the whole race. Wilm was tied for 5th at the 50, and came home in 30.27 to move onto the podium.
Just blown away by her performances over these three meets. What a way to end them with two incredible WR’s. It’s a great format to work on race-craft, as she got progressively better in all her events. If she is not fully tapered, then my gosh we’re in for a treat next year. I’ve heard she is training for 56, and this week will confirm to her and Bohly that sure is a realistic target. Just hope she doesn’t over-train or get injured, otherwise we’re looking at something very special next year.
Looking at all her races, she has an incredible breakout, her last few kicks before she surfaces are way quicker than her peers (and that’s including Masse… Read more »
it’s a disgrace that swimmers can’t make anymore, just look tennis players.
In other results Meg Harris opened her season at a Rackley prep meet today going 25.04/54.19. That seems quite quick for such a small meet so early in the season.
Trials will be very entertaining.
Greatest Females Backstroker ever
From 57.57 to 57.45 to 57.33 .. I see a pattern here lol
Female swimmer of the year. No contest. Only female to win 3 individual events at worlds. Only female to break 3 individual world records (Ruta has 2 but in the same event, no one else has more than 1). Difference between her 100 WR and the second best performer is 0.24, only 0.01 smaller than Sjostrom’s 100 free record which is considered legendary.
Q: Difference between her 100 WR and the second best performer is 0.24, only 0.01 smaller than Sjostrom’s 100 free record which is considered legendary.
Wow….when you put it that way, it really puts things in perspective.
Ok in fairness when she first set it the margin was 0.35 which is ridiculous for a 100. But yes it currently stands at 0.25
And consider that Sjostrom herself has never been within 0.36s of that 100free relay lead off (and has never won the 100free at Olympics or world champs level), whereas Kaylee has also swum the next four fastest times 57.45, 57.47, 57.50, 57.53, all within 0.2s of her new WR and two of them occurring under Olympic and world champ finals pressure
Exactly, Sjostrom, while totally amazing swim, there was no pressure. Sweden were never going to win gold or even medal.
technically Summer broke 2 individual WR’s this year in different events one just happened to not last until the end of the year
Oh I actually completely forgot Summer even broke the 400 WR. Seems so long ago now.
Amazing to see it was her backend that got her there. She’s obviously got the easy speed in the front end to be able to come back so well.
Watching the video I was kind of shocked. Usually people look like they’re ahead of the line and get chased down, but she was behind the line and somehow out swam it at the end??
I think the difference is that often the WR is another swimmer, who takes it out really differently. Kaylee swam a classic Kaylee race. It was beautiful to watch!
What I reflected on is that in 2022 when McKeown chose not to contest the 100m back at the WC and her times were north of 57 sec, some questioned whether she lost her speed and her ability to be competitive in the 100.
That was a time of change and adjustment with a new coach and we’ve seen now how that is going for her.
Super impressive. 3 WRs with the new coach and hopefully she keeps building on that.
Bohl seems to be doing with Kaylee what he did with Emma, increasing strength, speed and improving skills. Without the 50 next year hopefully they can keep the speed and build even more endurance for the 200.
$20000US in less than 90 seconds sounds unreal, but it is a great reward for the countless hours she would have invested in getting to where she is.
Lol if you only count actual time swimming then she’s about to make $200,000 US for a total of like 17 minutes race time
Fastest female backstroker of all time.
You do realize that goes hand in hand when setting world record, right?
Oh not you again lol