Singapore, July 29 (UNI) Australia’s Kaylee McKeown reaffirmed her dominance in women’s backstroke by edging out arch-rival Regan Smith in a high-octane final to win the 100m backstroke title at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships.
Competing under the lights in Singapore, the two-time Olympic champion surged past Smith in the final stretch to clock a championship-record 57.16 seconds — a stunning comeback after trailing by 0.22 seconds at the halfway mark.
World record-holder Smith of the United States settled for silver with a time of 57.35 seconds, while fellow American Katharine Berkoff touched home in 58.15 to take bronze.
The triumph marked a successful title defence for McKeown, who had won the same event at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka. It was also yet another win over Smith, whom she had beaten in the finals of both the Paris 2024 Olympics and the Fukuoka Worlds.
Speaking after the race, McKeown admitted she had been hesitant to contest the event due to mental and physical fatigue following the Olympics. “It’s always really nerve-wracking, especially off the back of the Olympics. Probably a little bit more nervous than I would have liked going into tonight, but it’s paid off,” she said.
Asked whether she had found her joy in swimming again, the five-time Olympic gold medallist responded, “I certainly have and I hope to continue that for the rest of the week.”
With her mother cheering from the stands, the 23-year-old Australian underlined her status as one of the sport’s modern greats — extending a personal winning streak over Smith that dates back to the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The World Aquatics Championships continue this week with more medal events in swimming, diving, and artistic disciplines.
