Produced by Coleman Hodges.
Reported by Mitch Bowmile.
Junya Koga of Japan and Nick Thoman both moved way out in front of the rest of the field with just 25-meters remaining in the race. The two were locked in a tight battle for gold, and at the touch the scoreboards revealed that Koga had pulled through with the win.
Grabbing gold by a fingernail, Koga out-touched Thoman 53.20 to 53.23.
With Koga’s winning time he ironically ties Thoman as the 11th fastest man in the world this season in the 100m backstroke. His 53.20 from tonight matched Thoman’s 53.20 from the 2015 Pan American Games where he took home the gold.
With Koga and Thoman way out in front, the battle for bronze was tight. Luke Kaliszakended up taking the podium position with a swift 54.23. In order to do so he beat Taylor Dale by just over two-tenths of a seconds as Dale finished fourth in 54.44.
Behind Dale was Jacob Pebley of Cal and Kyle Darmody.
Try quickly.
Lacourt will swim the 50 back tomorrow at worlds.
50 back final