WATCH: Australian Kaylee McKeown Take Out World Records in 50, 100 Back

At last week’s World Aquatics World Cup Series stop in Budapest, Hungary, Australian swimmer Kaylee McKeown showed late-season form in mid-season racing, cracking the World Records in both the 50 meter backstroke and 100 meter backstroke (long course).

Her two World Records in long course earned her a mountain of prize money and put the world, and her chief backstroke rival Regan Smith of the USA, on notice.

McKeown’s strength in the sprint backstrokes is her incredible turnover, and while it doesn’t look as “smooth” as we’re all taught as age groupers, it is a violent, powerful, and efficient stroke that shows off her athleticism – and she doesn’t sacrifice distance-per-stroke to do it.

McKeown is now the World Record holder in all three distances in long course meters, owning the 200 backstroke in 2:03.14.

Watch McKeown’s world record setting swims below.

Kaylee McKeown 100 Back World Record Video

  • Article
  • New World Record: 57.33
  • Old World Record: Kaylee McKeown, Australia, 57.45 (2021 Australian Trials)

Kaylee McKeown 50 Back World Record Video

  • Article
  • New World Record – 26.86
  • Old World Record – 26.98, Liu Xiang, China (2018 Asian Games)

 

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Lisa Simpson
11 months ago

She has noticeably higher tempo and DPS. No wonder she broke WRs.

Jonathan
11 months ago

Can someone please explain to me why World Aquatics would post these race videos with no commentary?

One of the many reasons swimming can’t attract a significant audience outside of the Olympics.

You need good commentary to contextualize accomplishments and build excitement, especially when there’s a world record on the line.

Lacking commentary, these video’s don’t do Kaylee’s achievements justice. Quite frankly, they’re boring to watch, and I say that as a swimming fan. There’s zero chance these clips can go viral.

Meanwhile, the video of Guo Jincheng breaking the world record in the S5 50 m freestyle has over 3 million views on the NBC Sports YouTube channel. Commentary matters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r73EBq1X2YA

Sub13
11 months ago

I still don’t understand how she was behind the WR line with 20m to go and then somehow ran it down. Amazing.

Also the interviewer saying “I saw a video of your parents watching”… I feel like it’s pretty universally known that her father died.

Joel
Reply to  Sub13
11 months ago

Yeah I cringed at that comment. She was professional about it as always.

Hank
Reply to  Sub13
11 months ago

Wasn’t there a rule change recently allowing the last 5 meters to be underwater ?

2Fat4Speed
11 months ago

Holy moly, the power in the last 5 meters of each race is awesome!

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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