Manuel Breaks American Record with 23.97 for 50 Free Bronze

2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

American sprint star Simone Manuel earned another piece of hardware on the final night of competition at the 2017 FINA World Championships. Manuel, who won the 100 free earlier in the meet, became the first American woman to break the 24-second barrier when she touched in 23.97 to take bronze tonight. Winning the race was World Record holder Sarah Sjostrom (23.69) ahead of the Netherlands’ Ranomi Kromowidjojo (23.85), who put up a personal best for the silver.

With her performance tonight, Manuel set a new American Record and Continental Record. She erased the former mark of 24.07, which was set by sprint legend Dara Torres back in 2009.

FASTEST PERFORMERS OF ALL TIME: WOMEN’S 50 FREE

1 Sarah Sjostrom 23.67
2 Britta Steffen 23.73
3 Cate Campbell 23.84
4 Ranomi Kromowidjojo 23.85
5 Therese Alshammar 23.88
6 Marleen Veldhuis 23.96
6 Fran Halsall 23.96
8 Libby Trickett 23.97
8 Simone Manuel 23.97
10 Pernille Blume 24.00

FASTEST PERFORMANCES OF ALL TIME: WOMEN’S 50 FREE

1 Sarah Sjostrom 23.67
2 Sarah Sjostrom 23.69
3 Britta Steffen 23.73
4 Sarah Sjostrom 23.83
5 Cate Campbell 23.84
6 Sarah Sjostrom 23.85
7 Ranomi Kromowidjojo 23.85
8 Sarah Sjostrom 23.87
9 Therese Alshammar 23.88
10 Cate Campbell 23.93

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crooked donald
6 years ago

Of all the Rio gold medalists, she might have had the best overall meet in terms of matching best performances across multiple events. King was good, too, but disappointed in the 200 breast final and didn’t have a faster-than-flat-start relay split.

Jim C
Reply to  crooked donald
6 years ago

Of all the Rio gold medalists, the top two showing improvement over multiple events would be Caleb Dressel and Sarah Sjostrom listed in alphabetical order. Manuel improved by 0.5% in the 50 free and 0.8% in the 100 free compared to Rio. King set a WR in the 50 breast which was on the Olympic schedule. She improved her 100 breast by 1.2% setting a WR and it is hard to see how she disappointed in the 200 breast when she improved her time by 1.7% over Rio.

Swima
Reply to  crooked donald
6 years ago

What about Sarah- would say she matched her best performances too. Both of them still doing great a year after the Olympics!

E Gamble
Reply to  Swima
6 years ago

What about Sarah? Is this page dedicated to Sarah’s win? No. Really? ?

Swim-Fan
Reply to  E Gamble
6 years ago

I was wondering the same thing. Who is this page about??

Swim-Fan
6 years ago

This young lady will be an absolute terror when she hits her prime. She already knows how to get mentally ready and strategize in a race when she not the fastest. Once she reaches peak speed its over.

Swammer
6 years ago

She’s smashed all the barriers for American women’s sprinting. First she broke 53 in the 100 last summer and now she’s under 24 in the 50. Amazing!

target
Reply to  Swammer
6 years ago

and she broke 46 in the 100yd free this spring at NCAAs

Joe
Reply to  Swammer
6 years ago

She will likely break 52 in the 100 one day aswell. Hats off to her, she’s gone from very promising to a star.

ALEXANDER POP-OFF
6 years ago

Beautiful race and beautiful photo above.

Hswimmer
6 years ago

Glad the 2009 records are starting to go away! Congrats to Simone!!

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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