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)

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.

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.


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Source: AAP



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