SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Record world swim titles start for McKeon

Australia's Emma McKeon has made an impressive start to the world swimming championships in Budapest, equalling the national 100m butterfly record.

Swimmer Emma McKeon
Australia's Emma McKeon has made an impressive start at the world swimming championships. (AAP)

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Another race, another personal best for record-equalling Australian Emma McKeon on the opening night of the world swimming championships in Budapest.

Now for the big prize - Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom.

McKeon made a stunning start to the eight-day titles on Sunday, equalling the Commonwealth and national record to be the second fastest qualifier behind Sjostrom for Monday night's 100m butterfly final at Duna Arena.

McKeon clocked 56.23 in the semi-finals, shaving more than half a second off her PB to share Jessicah Schipper's record mark set in the 2009 supersuit era.

She backed up after equalling her previous PB 56.81 in Sunday's opening 100m butterfly heats.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

McKeon - Australia's most decorated Rio swimmer with four medals - now has Sjostrom in her sights.

But Olympic champ Sjostrom appears untouchable at Budapest, finishing almost half a second ahead of McKeon to top the 100m butterfly semi-finals (55.77).

Sjostrom later broke Australian Cate Campbell's 100m freestyle world record, clocking 51.71 in Sweden's lead-off leg in the 4x100m freestyle relay final to become the first woman to shatter the 52-second barrier.

But a relaxed McKeon also appears primed for something special after an impressive start to her demanding world titles campaign.

Besides her 100m butterfly heroics, McKeon also chimed into Australia's silver medal winning 4x100m freestyle relay team on Sunday night.

McKeon is contesting a six-event program in Hungary.

"I wasn't expecting to go that much of a PB," McKeon said of her record equalling semi-final effort.

"I am excited for Monday night.

"This is the most relaxed I have been at a big event - and that's the best way for me to race."

McKeon admitted it was hard to get her head around the fact she shared Schipper's eight-year-old national mark.

"It is sort of. One of the coaches told me later (about the record) - I didn't know at the time," McKeon said.

"But I think I can improve, definitely."

McKeon is already making a habit of keeping Olympic champions honest at Budapest.

McKeon almost mowed down joint Rio gold medallist Simone Manuel of the United States as Australia's anchor in the 4x100m freestyle relay final before finally settling for silver.

"It's nice to know I have taken some ground off the Olympic champion - it's good practice for the rest of the week," McKeon said.

McKeon will also contest her pet event the 200m freestyle, the 100m freestyle and two more relays at Budapest.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world