Superstar Missy Franklin Now Two-For-Two With 100 Back Triumph

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BARCELONA, Spain, July 30. MISSY Franklin, who is tackling quite an ambitious Phelpsian schedule this week in Barcelona, collected her second gold medal in as many events with a triumph in the women’s 100-meter back at the FINA World Championships.

Franklin raced her way to a commanding victory in the event with a 58.42 after going out hard with a 28.62 at the 50. It’s obvious that Franklin didn’t suffer a slip at the start this evening as she powered through the event. The reigning Olympic champion became the first swimmer in the event’s history to back up an Olympic win with a title in the following World Championships. Her time is the sixth fastest ever, and just missed her American record of 58.33 from the 2012 London Olympics.

Franklin already won gold on night one as part of the 400-meter freestyle relay, and could turn in a Michael Phelps-like performance this week if she can hit on all cylinders throughout the week.

Australia’s Emily Seebohm, the textile best holder with a 58.23 from prelims of the London Olympics, picked up second-place honors with a time of 59.06. Japan’s Aya Terakawa, meanwhile, snared bronze with a sterling 59.23 of her own.

That’s a completely new podium compared to 2011 when Zhao Jing won in 59.05 and Anastasia Zueva (59.06) and Natalie Coughlin (59.15) placed second and third in the finale.

USA’s Elizabeth Pelton finished just off the podium with a fourth-place time of 59.45, while China’s Fu Yuanhui clinched fifth in 59.61. Czech’s Simona Baumrtova also cleared 1:00 with a sixth-place time of 59.84.

Ukraine’s Daryna Zevina (1:00.16) and Australia’s Belinda Hocking (1:00.29) rounded out the pack in the 100 back finale this evening.

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