Sarah Sjostrom Headlines Semifinals of 100 Freestyle; Evgeny Rylov Cruises in 200 Backstroke

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World Swimming Championships (Sarah Sjostrom)

Gwangju, Day 5

Semifinals

Women’s 100 Freestyle

Will the 100 freestyle produce the first gold medal of the week for Sarah Sjostrom? Already the silver medalist in the 100 butterfly and bronze medalist in the 200 freestyle, the Swedish star booked Lane Four for the final of the 100 free with a time of 52.43. Sjostrom, who was upset by Canadian Maggie MacNeil in the 100 fly, looked comfortable through her two laps, before shutting it down heading into the finish. Sjostrom is the world-record holder at 51.71.

Cate Campbell, who has already anchored Australia to a pair of relay golds, earned the second seed for the final, going 52.71, just ahead of the 52.77 of countrywoman Emma McKeon. Canada’s Taylor Ruck checked in at 53.04 for the No. 4 position, with American Mallory Comerford next in 53.10. McKeon and Ruck were expected to contest the 200 freestyle earlier in the meet, but each opted to scratch the event.

The Netherlands’ Femke Heemskerk qualified sixth in 53.16, with American Simone Manuel and Great Britain’s Freya Anderson grabbing the final berths to the final in matching times of 53.31. Manuel is the reigning co-Olympic champion and the defending world champion.

Finalists

1. Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden 52.43
2. Cate Campbell, Australia 52.71
3. Emma McKeon, Australia 52.77
4. Taylor Ruck, Canada 53.04
5. Mallory Comferford, United States 53.10
6. Femke Heemskerk, Netherlands 53.16
7. Simone Manuel, United States 53.31
7. Freya Anderson, Great Britain 53.31

Women’s 200 Breaststroke

The quest for a third world title in the 200 breast remained on track for Russia’s Yuliya Efimova, as the reigning champion coasted to the top time of the semifinals, touching the wall in 2:21.20. Efimova was the world champion in 2013 and 2017, and earlier this week claimed the silver medal in the 100 breaststroke behind American Lilly King. Efimova and King were supposed to renew their rivalry in this event, but King was disqualified in the prelims for a non-simultaneous touch on her first turn. USA Swimming appealed the disqualification, but it was not overturned.

Without King, Efimova is the overwhelming favorite and is seeking her 14th World Champs medal in a breaststroke event. She was followed as the second seed in 2:21.79 by South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker, who recently won gold in the 200 breast at the World University Games. The third seed went to Canada’s Sydney Pickrem (2:23.11), who was the bronze medalist in the 200 individual medley.

Finalists

1. Yuliya Efimova, Russia 2:21.20
2. Tatjana Schoenmaker, South Africa 2:21.79
3. Sydney Pickrem, Canada 2:23.11
4. Molly Renshaw, Great Britain 2:23.16
5. Ye Shiwen, China 2:23.49
6. Fanny Lecluyse, Belgium 2:23.76
7. Kelsey Wog, Canada 2:24.17
8. Kaylene Corbett, South Africa 2:24.18

Men’s 200 Backstroke

Defending champion Evgeny Rylov of Russia looked smooth en route to the fastest time of the semifinals, going 1:55.48 to place ahead of reigning Olympic champion Ryan Murphy. The American, coming off a disappointing fourth-place finish in the 100 backstroke, was timed in 1:56.25, with Great Britain’s Luke Greenbank a surprise in the No. 3 position at 1:56.60.

The United States’ Jacob Pebley improved considerably over his prelim swim and checked in fourth at 1:56.65, followed by Canadian Markus Thormeyer (1:56.96).

Finalists

1. Evgeny Rylov, Russia 1:55.48
2. Ryan Murphy, United States 1:56.25
3. Luke Greenbank, Great Britain 1:56.60
4. Jacob Pebley, United States 1:56.65
5. Markus Thormeyer, Canada 1:56.96
6. Adam Telegdy, Hungary 1:57.07
7. Radoslaw Kawecki, Poland 1:57.24
8. Ryosuke Irie, Japan 1:57.26

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