Kaylee McKeown Breaks Own World Record With 1:57.33 200 Backstroke

2025 WORLD AQUATICS SWIMMING WORLD CUP – Toronto

Women’s 200 Backstroke — Final

  • World Record: 1:57.87 — Kaylee McKeown, Australia (2025)
  • World Junior Record: 1:59.96 — Summer McIntosh, Canada (2024)
  • World Cup Record: 1:57.87 — Kaylee McKeown, Australia (2025)
  • Triple Crown Contender: Kaylee McKeown (AUS)

Top 8 Finishers

  1. Kaylee McKeown (AUS) – 1:57.33 ** New World Record
  2. Regan Smith (USA) – 1:57.86
  3. Phoebe Bacon (USA) – 2:00.80
  4. Ingrid Wilm (CAN) – 2:02.99
  5. Anastasiya Shkurdai (NAA) – 2:03.03
  6. Madison Kryger (CAN) – 2:03.84
  7. Hannah Fredericks (AUS) – 2:04.21
  8. Rhyan White (USA) – 2:04.53

Kaylee McKeown broke her own World Record that she set just last week at the World Cup stop in Westmont. McKeown touched in a 1:57.33, faster than her 1:57.87 from a week ago. Prior to Westmont, the record stood at a 1:58.04 set by Regan Smith last December at the 2024 SCM World Championships.

Split Comparison

Kaylee McKeown– New World Record Toronto Kaylee McKeown– World Record From Westmont
Regan Smith– 2024 SCM Worlds World Record
50 27.86 27.93 27.76
100 29.7 29.75 29.83
150 30 29.82 30.24
200 29.77 30.37 30.21
Final Time 1:57.33 1:57.87 1:58.04

McKeown was out under record pace from the start, although she was just off record pace at the 150 turn. The biggest difference today was that final 50 as she was 0.60 seconds faster today than a week ago.

With her win, McKeown earned a $10,000 triple crown bonus as well as a $10,000 bonus for breaking the World Record. She sits at #2 in the overall World Cup standings and at the top of the standings for stop three in Toronto.

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Swimmer
7 months ago

This makes me think there could be quite a lot more to come in her long course 200 back. Her underwaters aren’t a strength like they are for some and her speed on top of the water just looks so much better than everyone else’s. Excited to see what she can do.

Swimmingly Sorry
Reply to  Swimmer
7 months ago

I always thought she could go 2:02

maheny
7 months ago

ughhh just 0.01 away from all 50’s under 30s

Not Him Again
7 months ago

That’s roughly 15K AUD for each cheque. You deserve it, Kaylee!

Not Him Again
7 months ago

LA is looking real good for the Aussie swimming team. Way to go (fast), Kaylee!

Swimmingly Sorry
7 months ago

The more Kaylee swims, the further she cements her title as GOAT backstroker.

Steve Nolan
7 months ago

lol Smith keeps just going under the previous WRs

Miranda
7 months ago

I can’t believe how great McKeown and Smith are. Holy moly. They both go faster than the existing WR two weekends in a row? Insane. McKeown is so great at closing races, I’m in awe.

M d e
7 months ago

Regan and Kaylee are nuts.

That’s 2 times they’ve both gone under WR in same race now?

Ontswammer
Reply to  M d e
7 months ago

I know the timing is unique to World Cup but has there ever been a situation like that before?

Swimmingly Sorry
Reply to  Ontswammer
7 months ago

There were several during 2008-2009

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 …

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