McKeown & O’Callaghan Deliver 27.13/27.19 50 Back For Top 2 Spots In World Rankings

2026 AUSTRALIAN SWIMMING TRIALS

• Monday, June 8 – Saturday, June 13, 2026
• Sydney, Australia
• Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
• LCM (50 meters)
• Meet Central
• Commonwealth Selection Criteria
• Pan Pac Selection Criteria
• Psych Sheets
• Live Results
• Live Stream
• Storylines To Watch
• Live Recaps:
  • Prelims: Day 1
  • Final: Day 1

In a fierce battle on home soil, the world’s biggest backstroke talent Kaylee McKeown held off freestyle Mollie O’Callaghan in the 50 back final of Aussie Trials. The pair now hold the top two spots of the season’s world rankings in a formidable response to their American rivals’ backstroke performance this season.

McKeown, who is battling illness, holds the top global spot at 27.13 as she delivers her 7th-swiftest performance ever. The 24-year-old holds the world record at 26.86 from 2023.

Perhaps more impressive today was her compatriot and fellow multi-time Olympic Champion, O’Callaghan. Primarily a 100 and 200 freestyler, O’Callaghan gave the world record holder a run from her money, touching only a fingertip behind McKeown at 27.19. It marks her second best time ever, trailing only the 27.16 she put up at Australian Nationals in April 2024.

Australia now has a 1-2 of its own in the women’s backstroke this year, hitting back at the American women’s stronghold this season. For context, the stars and stripes have 1-2 in both the 100 and 200 back this year, and they have 5/10 top 10 spots in the 100 back with 6/10 in the 200. Veteran Regan Smith and breakout star Isabelle Stadden lead the Yankee pack, with Smith holding the 100 pole position and Stadden possessing the 200.

McKeown will surely aim to disrupt these current rankings when she takes on the 100 and 200 later in the week. O’Callaghan is also set to race the 100 back, an event in which she’s no stranger to putting up elite times in. For now, though, the duo have set a rock-solid tone for the rest of the week. They have also punched tickets to both the Commonwealth Games and the Pan Pacific Championships.