Sarah Sjostrom Top Seed After 100 Free Semi-Finals Ahead of Simone Manuel and Mallory Comerford

Gian Mattia D'Alberto / lapresse Roma sport nuoto trofeo Settecolli nella foto: Sarah Sjostrom SWE Gian Mattia D'Alberto / lapresse Rome in the photo: Sarah Sjostrom SWE

Photo Courtesy: Gian Mattia D'Alberto / lapresse

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Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom leads a very tight and talented 100 free field into Friday’s final as she swam a 52.44 on Thursday night in Budapest at the FINA World Championships. Sjostrom leads a pair of Americans in Simone Manuel (52.69) and Mallory Comerford (52.85). Manuel’s time was just off of Comerford’s 52.59 American Record from Sunday.

Denmark’s Pernille Blume (52.99), Australia’s Bronte Campbell (53.04), Canada’s Penny Oleksiak (53.05), Netherlands’ Ranomi Kromowidjojo (53.09) and Australia’s Emma McKeon (53.20) will also join the top three in the final tomorrow.

Seven of the eight girls in Friday’s final have medaled individually in either the Olympics or World Championships as Comerford is the only one that has not. It will be a very exciting final and it could take a World Record or a sub-52 to win.

Manuel interview:

Oleksiak interview:

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John S

8 years ago

“It will be a very exciting final and it could take a World Record or a sub-52 to win.”

Yeah I agree, if anyone wants to challenge Sjostrom that is. I could probably see Manuel sneak into the 52.3-52.4 range but that’s about it for the rest of the field. However, it’s extremely competitive. McKeon the WORST swimmer heading into the final says something. We know someone like Blume can go much faster the first 50m so it will be interesting to see how she tackles the race tomorrow. She’s the wildcard for a really fast time.