Alia Atkinson Lowers Own SCM World Record In Women’s 50 Breast

2018 FINA WORLD CUP – BUDAPEST

Jamaican veteran Alia Atkinson scored the second world record of what was a scintillating final session at the FINA World Cup in Budapest, lowering her previous mark of 28.64 down to 28.56 to win the women’s 50 breaststroke.

Atkinson had broken the 2009 mark of Jessica Hardy (28.80) at the Tokyo stop of the World Cup circuit in 2016, and with this swim now owns eight swims under 29 seconds, a feat only done 14 times in history. Also in the sub-29 club is Ruta Meilutyte (three times, best of 28.81) and Lilly King (once, 28.92), with Hardy having done so twice herself.

In addition to owning eight of the 14 sub-29 swims in history, Atkinson also owns five of the all-time top-10.

All-Time Performances, Women’s SCM 50 Breaststroke

  1. Alia Atkinson – 28.56
  2. Alia Atkinson – 28.64
  3. Jessica Hardy – 28.80
  4. Ruta Meilutyte – 28.81
  5. Alia Atkinson / Ruta Meilutyte – 28.84
  6. Ruta Meilutyte – 28.89
  7. Alia Atkinson / Atkinson – 28.91
  8. Lilly King – 28.92

Russian Yuliya Efimova was the runner-up to Atkinson tonight in Budapest in 29.22, and American Molly Hannis (29.51) and Australian Emily Seebohm (29.96) were also under 30 seconds.

Internationally, the 29-year-old has found plenty of success including a pair of LC World Championship medals, seven SC World Championship medals (including back-to-back 100 breast golds in 2014 and 2016), and three Commonwealth Games medals.

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Tammy Touchpad Error
6 years ago

When did Lilly king swim SCM?? Did not know she’s been on all time lists for this course

Marley09
Reply to  Tammy Touchpad Error
6 years ago

Windsor, Canada December 2016. SC Worlds.

SUM Ting Wong
6 years ago

For a former no 2 200 Imer there comes a time In a career. . Split upside down on pole – ticked off bucket list . Should I add high heels or go & do some frog kicks?

Kelsey
Reply to  SUM Ting Wong
6 years ago

Again she swam the breaststroke at Pan Pac Trials and is a fun event for her. Leave Seebohm alone.

Anonymoose
Reply to  Kelsey
6 years ago

He didnt say anything negative about her…

Yozhik
6 years ago

She got the best FINA score at this stop 1008 bypassing with that Wang Jianjiahe just by 1 point.

Dee
6 years ago

Was she injured in 2017? She didnt swim Worlds and was way off her best at commonwealths. I wondered if she’d retire, or begin to prioritise the $$ of the World Cup circuit as an older athlete. Lovely to see her swimming well no matter what her plans are going forward.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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