World Championships, Day Two Finals: Kaylee McKeown Edges Mollie O’Callaghan For Australia 1-2 In 100 Back

Kaylee McKeown: Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

A Special Thanks to Deep Blue Media for providing the images from this meet

World Championships, Day Two Women’s Finals: Kaylee McKeown Edges Mollie O’Callaghan For Australia 1-2 In 100 Back

Kaylee McKeown came through in the final 10m to touch out Mollie O’Callaghan as Australia claimed a 1-2 in the women’s 100m backstroke at the World Short-Course Championships in Melbourne.

Reigning champion Louise Hansson of Sweden led at the halfway point before O’Callaghan – the world 100m freestyle champion – took the lead and was ahead at the final turn.

McKeown was just 0.01 behind having moved up from fourth at halfway and the pair went stroke-for-stroke with the Olympic champion’s speed on top of the water propelling her into first place in 55.49.

O’Callaghan stopped the clock at 55.62 with Claire Curzan and Ingrid Wilm sharing third in 55.74.

McKeown said:

“To be honest, I didn’t really see the results and I had to put my goggles back on, and I wasn’t sure if I should be having a good reaction, or not.

“But I was really happy when I put my goggles back on and saw the number 1 next to my name and to see Mollie (O’Callaghan) finish second to me.

“It’s amazing to have two Aussies on the podium and racking in some medals for the Australian team.

“It’s always amazing regardless of where we are, but to have the Aussies in the stadium is great.

“It’s even more special to have friends and some of my teammates in the home audience tonight.

“Mollie’s main event is freestyle so for her to swim backstroke and finish second, almost come first is absolutely amazing in itself.

“The depth of swimming in Australia is really coming along nicely and we have some really good leading into Paris.”

O’Callaghan – an Olympic and world champion at 18 – added:

“It’s crazy. I am typically doing freestyle so to do backstroke is kind of nice.

“But racing alongside Kaylee is just fantastic and she is such an inspiration too so it is relay nice to be up on the podium with her.”

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