Watch 17-year-old Regan Smith Shatter Missy Franklin’s 200 Back World Record

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reported by Lauren Neidigh.

WOMEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE – SEMIFINALS

  • World Record: Missy Franklin (United States), 2012, 2:04.06
  • World Junior Record: Regan Smith (United States), 2019, 2:06.01
  • World Championships Record: Missy Franklin (United States), 2013, 2:04.76
  • 2017 Defending World Champion: Emily Seebohm (Australia), 2:05.68

Finals Qualifiers:

  1. Regan Smith (USA), 2:03.35
  2. Kylie Masse (CAN), 2:06.57
  3. Margherita Panziera (ITA), 2:06.62
  4. Minna Atherton (AUS), 2:07.38
  5. Katinka Hosszu (HUN), 2:07.48
  6. Kaylee McKeown (AUS), 2:08.19
  7. Taylor Ruck (CAN), 2:08.42
  8. Katalin Burian (HUN), 2:09.40

The USA’s teenage standout Regan Smith broke the World Junior Record in prelims, but tonight she went straight for the World Record. Smith knocked almost 3 seconds off her lifetime best, blowing away the World Record in 2:03.35. That took down Missy Franklin’s former mark of 2:04.06 from her Olympic performance in 2012, making Smith the first woman to ever break 2:04. She touched the wall in her heat over 3 seconds ahead of Canada’s 100 back champion Kylie Masse (2:06.57).

Italy’s Margherita Panziera, who became the 5th fastest performer in history earlier this year, touched just behind Masse in 2:06.62. Winning the first semifinal heat was Australia’s Minna Atherton (2:07.38), a tenth ahead of Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu, the 200 IM champion here and an Olympic medalist in this race. Australia, Canada, and Hungary will all have 2 in the final. Kaylee McKeown (2:08.19) qualified 6th for the Aussies. Canada’s Taylor Ruck (2:08.42) and Hungary’s Katalin Burian rounded out the top 8.

One spot shy of the final was the USA’s Kathleen Baker in 2:09.68. Baker returned to competition this week after dealing with a rib injury this season, but hasn’t made the individual podium at this meet.

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bobo gigi
5 years ago

Congrats to Regan! I watch her develop since she’s around 10. She already destroyed records at that time. Cool to see her become a huge swimming star. She’s the next face of American swimming on the women’s side.

Texas Tap Water
5 years ago

Upvote if you think Regan Smith should go pro and capitalize on Tokyo performances, downvote if you think Smith should remain amateur.

marklewis
5 years ago

Regan Smith joins the list of great American backstrokers who have set WRs. She jumped from a 2:06 to a 2:03 in one big leap.

Regan’s dad, who nurtured her swimming talent for many years, must be quite proud of her accomplishment.

Don't Mess Up Her Stroke
5 years ago

Smith should transfer to Georgia and swim with Smoliga, Kalisz & Urlando. Go Dawgs!

Elizabeth Pelton
5 years ago

Nice work, kiddo!!

run-dmc
5 years ago

The first time I saw the race I was still in a daze from Dressel’s 49.5.

It is more beautiful to watch the second time. Like a Marvel movie.

She beat everyone by three seconds!

Baker-King-Worrell-Manuel
Reply to  run-dmc
5 years ago

Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel

Texas Tap Water
5 years ago

Jenny Turrall broke multiple 800-1500 WRs as 13 yo.

eagleswim
5 years ago

michael phelps broke his at 15 and that’s the youngest I can think of in the modern era, but Karen Muir is the youngest ever, breaking her first wolrd record at the ripe of age of 12 years, 10 months, 25 days old, back in 1965

Texas Tap Water
Reply to  eagleswim
5 years ago

Ye Shiwen was barely 15 yo when breaking 400 IM WR

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