Australia’s Mitch Larkin took home the gold in the 100m backstroke earlier in the 2015 World Championships meet and immediately followed that performance up with a new Australian and Commonwealth Record in today’s semifinals of the 200m distance.
The 2014 Pan Pacific Championships’ 200 back bronze medalist slashed almost a full second off of the previous Aussie 200 back record, also held by Larkin, which was the 1:55.26 the 22-year old registered at this past April’s Australian Nationals. Today’s next closest competitor was USA’s Ryan Murphy, who touched in 1:55.10 for the second seed lined up for tomorrow’s finals.
In 2011, Larkin finished in 23rd place in the 200 back event, then jumped up a few spots to finish 17th after prelims at the 2013 version of the meet. In 2015, Larkin has certainly set himself up nicely to claim the top prize and possibly lower his brand new Aussie record even further, while trying to hold off the likes of Murphy, Tyler Clary and Ryosuke Irie, all who are gunning for gold.
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