Kaylee McKeown Wins Big at Aussie Short Course Champs
Kaylee McKeown came agonizingly close to her second world record in the 50m backstroke at the Aussie Short Course Champs, swimming 0.15 seconds outside the world mark with a time of 25.40.
McKeown's time set a new Oceania and Australian record, and was just 0.09 under Mollie O’Callaghan’s record of 25.49.
McKeown had withdrawn from the 200m backstroke 24 hours earlier, which was won by fellow Paris Olympian Iona Anderson.
The meet was McKeown's first short course competition since the 2022 World Championships in Melbourne, and she said she hadn't been training much, but enjoyed the meet.
McKeown is expected to be named on the 24-strong Australian Team for the 2024 World SCX Championships in Budapest in December.
The Aussie Short Course Champs also saw other notable performances, including Alexandria Perkins swimming the fourth fastest time by an Australian in the 100m butterfly, with a time of 55.45.
Matt Temple swam under the qualifying time for the World Championships in the 100m butterfly, with a time of 50.04.
Lani Pallister powered to an all-the-way win in the 400m freestyle, adding to her win in the 200m freestyle, with a time of 3:56.27.
The meet was held at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Adelaide, and saw several world records and personal bests set throughout the competition.
McKeown's performance was a highlight of the meet, and she will look to build on this success as she prepares for the 2024 World SCX Championships.
The Australian Team for the 2024 World SCX Championships will be announced soon, and McKeown is expected to be a key member of the team.
The 2024 World SCX Championships will be held in Budapest in December, and will feature the best swimmers from around the world competing in a range of events.
McKeown will be looking to make a strong impression at the championships, and her performance at the Aussie Short Course Champs suggests she is in good form.
The Aussie Short Course Champs were a successful meet, with many notable performances and records set throughout the competition.
McKeown's record-breaking swim in the 50m backstroke was a highlight of the meet, and she will look to build on this success in the coming months.