Rising Australian backstroke talent Minna Atherton secured her second win of the 2015 junior world championships with a 200m backstroke victory in championship record timing.
Just one day after tying Claire Adams’ junior world record in the 100m backstroke and taking gold, Atherton swam to a new meet record of 2:09.11 in the 200m back final. Leading start to finish, she erased the previous 2:09.74 record set by Kylie Stewart of the United States at the 2013 junior world championships.
Although her time fell short of the junior world record set by Daria Ustinova of Russia earlier this year, it does put her in the top 15 in the world rankings in the event. As the 14th fastest in the world this year, Atherton will end the season as the fourth fastest Australian in the race.
Atherton’s Splits
- 50m – 29.71 (29.71)
- 100m – 1:02.34 (32.63)
- 150m – 1:35.43 (33.09)
- 200m – 2:09.11 (33.68)
Atherton had to contend with Liu Yaxin at the end of the race who made a huge push on the last 50 splitting a 32.48 to Atherton’s 33.68. Managing to hold on, Atherton kept herself in the running for a backstroke sweep here in Singapore.
With only the 50m backstroke remaining where Atherton is favorited to win, the possibility of a backstroke sweep for her is not out of the question.
