Swimming World Performance of the Week: Emily Seebohm’s 100 Backstroke

Photo Courtesy: R-Sport / MIA Rossiya Segodnya

After a grueling eight days of competition at the FINA world championships, many of the top athletes kept the momentum going with two more meets last week in Russia and France to start the FINA World Cup tour. Some athletes managed to swim faster than they did in Kazan at the world championships, but it was a world champion’s consistency that got our attention.

Emily Seebohm knocked out four swims under 59 seconds in 2015 before the start of the FINA World Cup, the only swimmer to do so. It represented a major breakthrough for Seebohm and helped her win her first individual world championship title. But she was not done there.

At the Moscow and Chartres stops of the World Cup, Seebohm went under 59 again, with times of 58.88 in Moscow and 58.91 in Chartres. That type of consistency was not seen among any other athlete who competed in both World Cup meets, particularly among those who had won world titles the week before. We’re highlighting the Moscow time because it was the faster swim, but we’re also applauding the ability to get close to the 58.26 she swam to win the world championship title.

Seebohm didn’t have the opening speed in her World Cup swims that she exhibited in Kazan at worlds, but she was able to put together strong closing 50s. Her last 50 in Chartres was 29.81; in Kazan, she won the world title with a 29.80 final 50 meters.

Though Seebohm could be challenged in the Rio Olympics next year by the likes of Missy Franklin, Mie Nielsen and Australian teammate Madison Wilson, Seebohm likely goes into 2016 with unparalleled confidence that she can continue to overcome her years of runner-up status, and turn Olympic disappointment into gold.

Congratulations, Emily Seebohm, on earning the Swimming World Performance of the Week!

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