2016 SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- December 6th – December 11th, 2016
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- WFCU Centre
- SCM (25m)
- Prelims: 9:30 AM EST/Finals: 6:30 PM EST
- Start Lists/Results
- Live Stream ($)
The video below is courtesy of FINA’s youtube channel.
Australian Mitch Larkin successfully defended his 100 back title last night in Windsor, posting a time of 49.65 to outdo Russian Andrei Shabasov by four one-hundredths of a second. After winning double gold in the 100 and 200 back at the 2015 LC World Championships, Larkin fell short of expectations in Rio winning silver in the 200 back and placing 4th in the 100. This victory was a sense of redemption for him, as he returns to the top of the podium.
After the race Larkin discussed switching coaches after Rio, leaving his coach of eight years Michael Bohl. He also mentions that this was the first time he’s ever seen snow, and that after taking a break post-Rio, more than anything he just wanted to come here and have fun.
He is scheduled to swim the 50 back, 200 back and 100 IM this week in Rio. The 100 IM begins this morning.
As reported by Robert Gibbs
MEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE – FINAL
- 2014 World Champion: Mitch Larkin (AUS), 49.57
- World Record: Matt Grevers (USA), 48.92, 2015
- Championship Record: Stanislav Donets (RUS), 48.95, 2010
GOLD: Mitch Larkin (AUS), 49.65
SILVER: Andrei Shabasov (RUS), 49.69
BRONZE: Jiayu Xu (CHN), 50.02
Junya Koga of Japan blasted some outside smoke from lane 8 for the first 50, but Russia’s Andrei Shabashovemerged in the lead out of the final turn. Neither one could hold on, however, as the defending champion, Mitch Larkin of Australia, came on like a freight train the final length to pick up the win. China’s Jiayu Xu touched 3rd, while Koga ended up just out of the medals, in 4th place.
