FINA World Championships Predictions: Women’s 200 Back

Photo Courtesy: R-Sport / MIA Rossiya Segodnya

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At the 2015 FINA World Championships, Emily Seebohm ran down and passed both Katinka Hosszu and Missy Franklin to win her first World title in the 200 back. A year later, she didn’t even make the Olympic final in the event.

As for Hosszu, she was heavily favored to win gold in the 200 back in Rio, having already won three other golds at that point in the meet. In the final, Hosszu led for the entire race before Maya DiRado ran her down and caught her on the last stroke.

DiRado is now retired and Franklin absent, so the top American coming into the meet—and actually the top swimmer in the world right now—is Kathleen Baker, the Olympic silver medalist in the 100 back.

Canada’s two swimmers could make a big push here as well, with Olympic bronze medalist Hilary Caldwell and 100 back World No. 1 Kylie Masse both in the field.

“I think we have the potential for two women on the podium in the 200 backstroke,” Caldwell said. “That’s a pretty incredible statistic, and I couldn’t tell you the last time Canada has had two people on the podium in one event.”

Read below to see what Swimming World’s trio of experts think will happen in Budapest. David Rieder, John Lohn and Andy Ross will each offer their predictions for who will finish on the podium.

Women’s 200 Back

Current Records:

World Record: Missy Franklin, USA (2012) — 2:04.06
Championship Record: Missy Franklin, USA (2013) — 2:04.76
American Record: Missy Franklin (2012) — 2:04.06

2015 World Champion: Emily Seebohm, AUS — 2:05.81
2016 Olympic Gold Medalist: Maya DiRado, USA — 2:05.99
2017 World No. 1: Kathleen Baker, USA — 2:06.38

Swimming World Predictions

David Rieder’s Picks:

Gold: Katinka Hosszu, HUN
Silver: Kathleen Baker, USA
Bronze: Emily Seebohm, AUS

John Lohn’s Picks:

Gold: Emily Seebohm, AUS
Silver: Kathleen Baker, USA
Bronze: Katinka Hosszu, HUN

Andy Ross’ Picks:

Gold: Kathleen Baker, USA
Silver: Emily Seebohm, AUS
Bronze: Katinka Hosszu, HUN

Previous Events

Day One:

• Men’s 400 Free
• Women’s 400 Free
• Women’s 400 Free Relay
• Men’s 400 Free Relay

Day Two:

• Men’s 100 Breast
• Women’s 100 Fly
• Men’s 50 Fly
• Women’s 200 IM

Day Three:

• Men’s 200 Free
• Women’s 1500 Free
• Women’s 100 Back
• Men’s 100 Back
• Women’s 100 Breast

Day Four:

• Women’s 200 Free
• Men’s 200 Fly
• Men’s 50 Breast
• Men’s 800 Free
• Mixed 400 Medley Relay

Day Five:

• Men’s 200 IM
• Men’s 100 Free
• Women’s 50 Back
• Women’s 200 Fly
• Women’s 800 Free Relay

Day Six:

• Women’s 100 Free
• Men’s 200 Back
• Women’s 200 Breast
• Men’s 200 Breast
• Men’s 800 Free Relay

Day Seven:

• Women’s 50 Fly
• Men’s 50 Free