Swimming’s latest rising star Kaylee McKeown has swum within a whisker of the 100m backstroke world record in Sydney today in a sizzling warning shot in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympics.
The 19-year-old from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast stopped the clock at 57.63 on the second day of finals at the Sydney Open.
It was just six one hundredths (0.06) of a second outside the 2019 world record of 57.57, set by American Regan Smith at the 2019 World Championships - and sets up a cracking duel in the pool in Japan.
McKeown, who with fellow Queenslander Emma McKeon, has been in red hot form at the final meet being swum at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre before next month’s crucial Australian Olympic Trials in Adelaide.
“When I touched the wall I looked over at my coach Chris Mooney and he wasn’t looking at me...and I thought what?” said McKeown.
“He was (actually) shaking hands with all the other coaches and of course he came down and of course he’s happy with me as well.
“I wasn’t expecting to come out and do that swim this morning and I’ve got no complaints about it. I’m pretty happy.
“It was so close to the worlds record but I have to have something to chase and Regan (Smith) is still the No 1 girl at the moment and then I’ve got a lot of girls chasing me here like Emily Seebohm and Minna Atherton and other girls coming out left right and centre and there is still a month to go (to our Trials).
“Who knows what can happen in that time...? And between now and then I’ll keep doing what I’m doing and keep training hard.”
And McKeown revealed she actually received a text from her number one rival after also nudging her 200m backstroke world record yesterday, when McKeown clocked the fourth fastest time in history, with her 2:04.31.
“It’s nice to hear from competitors from all over the world, nice to know they’re watching and they’ve got your back as well,” revealed McKeown.
“Regan is an outstanding swimmer and she’s a lovely person (too).
“It’s a pretty outstanding world record to be chasing and to come up and edge a bit closer it’s pretty exciting.
“There are a lot of girls out there still chasing those times....I’ll just see where it takes me...”
And will the world record be in her sights in Adelaide?
“I don’t think about the world records...going to the Trials I’ll just rock up at the meet and do the best that I can...if it happens on the day it happens if it doesn’t it doesn’t...."
McKeown has certainly made every post a winner in an outstanding 12 month countdown which has seen her re-write the Australian backstroking record books, claiming the world short course record in the 200m backstroke along the way.
And her performances came after the tragic loss of her father Sholto last August after a brave two-year battle with brain cancer.
“Having the year I had last year has really put things into perspective for me and I realised there’s no point wasting my time,” said McKeown, who dedicates every swim to the memory of her late Dad, who was her greatest fan.
“I would rather get in and do the best I can and have no regrets about it....”
McKeown will line up tonight in the heats of the 200m individual medley, with the final to be swum tomorrow morning - one of three events, along with the 100 and 200m backstroke she will target for the Games.
Watch Saturday Heats
Catch Australia's finest tonight at 6pm as they decide the line up for the ultimate Finals session of 2021 Sydney Open.
Watch live poolside at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre for $7. Get Tickets here.
If you can't make it to the pool, catch all the action wherever you are with SwimTV's livestream.
You can also follow along from home with Live Results.
Image courtesy of Delly Carr (SOPAC)
