2016 SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- December 6th – December 11th, 2016
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- WFCU Centre
- SCM (25m)
- Prelims: 9:30 AM EST/Finals: 6:30 PM EST
- Start Lists/Results
- Live Stream ($)
Lilly King improved upon yesterday’s American record 50 breast tonight with her first-ever 50 under 29, a 28.92. Her world championship came just over world record-holder Alia Atkinson of Jamaica (29.11).
With that swim, King moves up to the fourth-fastest performer all-time and the eighth-fastest swim in history. The fastest swims in history are listed below:
- 28.64: Alia Atkinson, 10/26/2016
- 28.80: Jessica Hardy, 11/15/2009
- 28.81: Ruta Meilutyte, 12/03/2014
- 28.84: Ruta Meilutyte, 12/04/2014
- 28.89: Ruta Meilutyte, 10/12/2013
- 28.91: Alia Atkinson, 12/04/2014
- 28.91: Alia Atkinson, 10/22/2016
- 28.92: Lilly King, 12/7/2016
Jessica Hardy actually is the fastest American performer in history at 28.80, but it was done in 2009, and is not recognized as the American Record by USA Swimming. This is presumably due to the suits, as USA Swimming’s ban on suits came into effect in the fall of 2009, whereas FINA’s did at the beginning of 2010.
Atkinson took the silver medal for Jamaica with 29.11, and the bronze went to King’s teammate Molly Hannis with 29.58.
King’s American record-setting performance came just minutes after she joined Ali DeLoof, Kelsi Worrell, and Katrina Konopka, to take down the 200 medley relay world record with 1:43.27.
She’s a crazy good racer. She loves the competition. She loves to race. And doesn’t fear anybody.
If she saves her energy until Friday and Saturday (please drop the 100 IM and the useless mixed medley relay from your shedule) then she should break the 100 breast world record.