Emily Seebohm Breaks Australian, Commonwealth, Oceanic Records With 200 Back Gold

With her gold medal winning performance in the 200m backstroke, Emily Seebohm broke the Australian record, Oceanic record, and Commonwealth record as she stopped the clock to take the win in 2:05.81.

The previous mark in all three records was held by Australian Belinda Hocking who put up a 2:06.06 at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai.

Seebhohm’s Record Setting Splits

• 50m – 29.50 (29.50
• 100m – 1:01.69 (32.19)
• 150m – 1:24.67 (32.98)
• 200m – 2:05.81 (31.14)

Seebohm led a tightly packed group of herself, defending champion Missy Franklin, and Hungarian standout Katinka Hosszu at the first 50.

After the first wall however, Seebohm stepped off the gas letting Franklin pass her as they approached the 100 wall. Taking things out right with Hosszu, Seebohm turned in a close third at the 150m wall with just 50-meters to go.

The last 50 is where Seebohm made her move, eating up Franklin’s one-second lead as they approached the touch. Ultimately Seebohm touched first by over half a second, winning in 2:05.81 to Franklin’s 2:06.34. Hosszu also faded well behind Seebohm, grabbing bronze in 2:06.84.

The win tonight marks her third gold medal of these championships to add to her wins in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay and 100m backstroke.

Seebohm is now the seventh woman and first Australian woman in world championship history to win the 100 and 200m backstrokes in the same meet. Earlier in the meet fellow Australian Mitch Larkin won both the 100 and 200m backstrokes on the men’s side, showing total Australian domination in the stroke.