Kaylee McKeown breaks world record in 200m backstroke

McKeown said she lacked the motivation to get back in the pool after her success in Tokyo, but a block of intense training with her team at the Gold Coast Aquatic Center reinvigorated her competitive nature.

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“After the Olympics, I had a hard time getting back up from behind the blocks,” she said.

“[But] I’ve found a new love for the sport and it just goes to show that a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer.

“I haven’t necessarily changed anything in my program or training. It’s just that I’m happier.”

Elsewhere, Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Isaac Cooper broke his own Australian record in the 50m backstroke – he stopped the clock at 24:38.

Shayna Jack stopped Olympic gold medalist Emma McKeon (53.55) in the 100m freestyle final with 53.12.

Kyle Chalmers won the 100m in 48.09 ahead of William Yang, another Commonwealth Games gold medal relay swimmer.

World Champion Elijah Winnington led from start to finish, winning the men’s 400m freestyle in 3:47.98 ahead of 2016 Olympic champion Mack Horton (3:51.61).

Alexandria Perkins (26.12) scored an impressive win in the women’s 50m butterfly ahead of McKeon and 17-year-old Isabella Boyd.

Bowen Gough stayed on to win the men’s 200m butterfly, while Jenna Strauch, world championship and Commonwealth Games silver medalist in the 200m breaststroke, clinched a comfortable victory in the 100m breaststroke ahead of her Olympian Abbey Harkin.

AAP

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