Isaac Cooper Blasts New Australian, Oceanic 50 Backstroke Record with a 22.91

2022 FINA SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

In the men’s 50m backstroke prelims at the 2022 SC World Championships, Australian Isaac Cooper set a new National Record and Oceanic Record, swimming a time of 22.79 to qualify second for the semi-finals. 

With his performance, Cooper knocked almost two tenths of a second off of Mitch Larkin’s previous Australian and Oceanic Record of 22.91 that was set back in 2015. Cooper also demolished his personal best of 23.31 with his swim, knocking nearly a half second off of his time to become the 15th fastest performer of all time. 

Cooper’s swim comes just 24 hours after the Australian coaches opted to leave him off of the country’s mixed 4×50 medley relay, using Bradley Woodward on the backstroke instead. Woodward only split a 23.87, over a second slower than Cooper’s time from today, and the team missed finals all together by placing 10th in prelims. Even Cooper’s previous best time of 23.31 would have been good enough to get the Aussies into the finals. 

In front of a  home crowd, the Australians were heavy medal favorites in the event, leaving many scratching their heads about the decision. 

The 18-year-old Cooper now has a chance to secure his own individual medal, assuming he holds his position through the event’s semi-finals to progress into the final, giving him 2 more chances to lower his time. 

Last summer, Cooper was sent home from the Australian team’s training camp prior to the start of the Commonwealth Games after he was caught overusing prescription medication. At the time, Swimming Australia quoted “wellbeing challenges” as the reason for his departure. In an interview Cooper noted that since then, he’s gone to therapy and addressed his issue, stating that he’s “been in a great environment” lately. 

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Verram
1 year ago

Actually he has already secured an individual medal, placing third behind Murphy in the 100m back.. so hopefully a second medal ?

Anon
1 year ago

I am just happy to see him swimming well after the Comm Games issue. He is a talent our mens team needs.

Mark
1 year ago

“With his performance, Cooper knocked almost two tenths of a second off of Mitch Larkin’s previous Australian and Oceanic Record of 22.91″.
Almost two tenths? Actually, 0.12 of a second, which is not almost two tenths. Surely it’s not too much to expect some basic mathematical ability from a journalist?

Joel
Reply to  Mark
1 year ago

He swam 22.79 so the headline is incorrect. But I see what you mean

Last edited 1 year ago by Joel
Miss M
Reply to  Joel
1 year ago

You can see how they did it though: 9-7=2, so *obviously* he’s taken 0.2 off the record 🤣

Mark
Reply to  Miss M
1 year ago

Of course, she could have just subtracted 79 from 91 and got 12 (hundredths).

About Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller

Nicole has been with SwimSwam since April 2020, as both a reporter and social media contributor. Prior to joining the SwimSwam platform, Nicole also managed a successful Instagram platform, amassing over 20,000 followers. Currently, Nicole is pursuing her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. After competing for the swim …

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