Kaylee McKeown has smashed the 200m backstroke world file on the opening night time of finals on the 2023 NSW State Open Championships.
The 21-year-old from Griffith College in Queensland clocked a time of two:03.14 seconds to clip 0.21 seconds off American Regan Smith’s time set on the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.
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McKeown was within the zone when she walked onto the pool deck on the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Heart and wasted no time setting the tempo with a 29.34 for her first 50m.
The OlympicsWorld and Commonwealth Games champion then break up 1:00.73 on the 100m and 1:31.84 on the 150m mark.
McKeown claimed the 100m and 200m backstroke golds on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, however is aware of defending her titles in Paris will not be straightforward.
“I knew it was going to be a brand new stage heading into the (2024) Olympics and I feel it is nice seeing Regan Smith doing all her double-ups,” she stated.
“It is scary and it is formidable to me if you end up a competitor or opponents who’re that fierce.
“Even Molly O’Callaghan in Australia – the backstroke depth is unquestionably coming again at that prime stage, so it is thrilling.”
McKeown stated she had lacked motivation to get again within the pool after her Tokyo success however a block of intense coaching together with her squad on the Gold Coast Aquatic Heart had reignited her aggressive nature.
“After the Olympics I discovered it laborious to stand up behind the blocks once more,” she stated.
“(However) I’ve discovered a brand new love for the game and it simply goes to point out {that a} pleased swimmer is a quick swimmer.
“I have never essentially modified something in my program or training-wise. It is simply that I am happier.”
