Watch Mitch Larkin Crush 1:55.72 200 IM For #1 Time In The World

2019 AUSTRALIAN WORLD SWIMMING TRIALS

As originally reported:

National Record holder Mitch Larkin lowered his own Aussie standard tonight in Brisbane in the men’s 200m IM, throwing down his fastest time by nearly half a second.

The 25-year-old St. Peters Western star has already shown he’s in his best form, nailing a winning mark of 52.38 in the 100m back to qualify for the World Championships, hitting his best time since 2015.

This morning he established himself as the man to beat in this 200m IM with the only sub-2:00 mark of the morning in 1:59.93, a cruising effort for the Pan Pacs silver medalist in this event.

Tonight, however, Larkin took things to entirely new territory, venturing under the 1:56 barrier for the first time of his career to win in a massive 1:55.72.

That effort checks-in as the new Australian National Record, Commonwealth Record, as well as the top time in the world this year. In fact, Larkin now sits atop the world rankings thrown by almost a second, with British ace Duncan Scott’s 1:56.65 appearing a mile away when sitting the times side-by-side.

Splits for Larkin tonight include 25.03/29.46/33.55/27.68. Compare that to his previous NR splits from 2018 of 25.14/29.75/33.56/27.76 and Larkin was quicker on the front half this time around that made all the difference.

The man’s time tonight now checks him in on the all-time performers list worldwide at #9 with his outing now just sitting .32 away from American Chase Kalisz‘s personal best.

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Jay Ryan
4 years ago

Interesting video. His fly is flat with little undulation (25.0). His Breast is all turnover (33.6) without the appearance of a snappy powerstroke (I guess the new stroke trend). Good splits and all, but the strength of the swim was in his guts and fitness, not his all around stroke prowess, unlike MP/Lochte. I think that 1:55.7 is probably as good as he will get, pretty good for sure, but it will be hard to beat Chase, and the professional IMers, etc. .

Anonymous
Reply to  Jay Ryan
4 years ago

Maybe he will improve, maybe not, but if he can replicate this swim at worlds, he’s at least top 3 in my book. 1:55.7 is hard to beat.

marklewis
4 years ago

Mitch has got 4 solid strokes. I didn’t realize how good his breaststroke is, and then he came home strong in the freestyle.

He’s a strong contender for the podium at Worlds.

Breaking 1:55 seems to be a hard barrier to break. I think only Phelps and Lochte have done it.

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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