Alia Atkinson Feels No Pressure For 100 Breast Final At 2015 FINA World Championships (SW Radio)

Jul 14, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Alia Atkinson of Jamaica before the women's 100m freestyle swimming preliminaries during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Aquatics UTS Centre and Field House. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel/USA Today Sports Images

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Alia Atkinson comes in as the reigning short course world champion in the women’s 100 breaststroke, but the Jamaican said she feels no pressure to back that up with a win in tomorrow’s final.

“I was really nervous this year, thinking that I had to prove myself again and again,” she said. “I did that for Pan Ams, and it was OK, but coming into this (I am) totally relaxed.”

Listen To Interview On Swimming World

Atkinson is seeded third in the final behind Yulia Efimova and reigning world champion Ruta Meilutyte. She’s encouraged by her performance in the semifinals, though she admits that she paid the price for her blistering opening pace with a difficult final 25 meters.

“Up until the 75, I was probably 1:05 pace,” she said. “It’s just that last 12-and-a-half that I need to work on for tomorrow.”

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