Regan Smith Powers to 200 Back World Junior Record; Qualifies for Finals

Photo Courtesy: SIPA USA

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Not ten minutes after Klimetn Kolesnikov lowered the men’s 200 back World Junior Record (WJR), American up and comer Regan Smith made her mark on the record books for the first time in her career.

The inaugural record for Smith came in the semi-finals of the women’s 200 back where she held off experienced athletes like Katinka Hosszu and Hilary Caldwell. Smith finished second overall in her heat behind Russia’s Daria Ustinova, who just happens to be the previous owner of the women’s 200 back WJR.

Smith turned in a time of 2:07.19 , slipping past Ustinova’s record of 2:07.42 set in 2015 in Chartres, France. While this marks a personal best for the 15-year-old American, it does not knock down the National Age Group (NAG) record for the 15-16 200 back. That record still belongs to Missy Franklin at a 2:05.10 from 2011, before FINA started recognizing WJRs.

Her time qualifies her fifth overall for finals of the women’s 200 back.

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dunc1952

6 years ago

Beyond Missy Franklin’s 15-16 NAG, 1991 Kristina Egerszegi of Hungary was 2:06+; FINA’s continuing shame in setting up the World Junior Record system and insulting great champions from the past