{"id":265825,"date":"2017-07-15T05:00:03","date_gmt":"2017-07-15T12:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=265825"},"modified":"2017-07-15T09:14:21","modified_gmt":"2017-07-15T16:14:21","slug":"fina-world-championships-predictions-womens-100-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/fina-world-championships-predictions-womens-100-free\/","title":{"rendered":"FINA World Championships Predictions: Women’s 100 Free"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sarah Sjostrom\u00a0<\/strong>has never won a major international title in a freestyle event, but it would be an upset if that\u00a0doesn’t<\/em> change at the FINA World Championships in Budapest. Her freestyle speed has taken a giant step forward this year under new coach\u00a0Johan Wallberg<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Already this year, she’s posted a 52.08 in the 100 free, just two hundredths off\u00a0Cate Campbell’s\u00a0<\/strong>world record. Meanwhile, Campbell is the No. 2-ranked swimmer in the world this year, a full seven tenths behind Sjostrom, and she won’t even be in Budapest.<\/p>\n

Co-Olympic gold medalists\u00a0Simone Manuel\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Penny Oleksiak<\/strong> will undoubtedly be in the hunt, as will 2012 gold medalist\u00a0Ranomi Kromowidjojo<\/strong>, reigning World champion\u00a0Bronte Campbell\u00a0<\/strong>(Cate’s younger sister) and upstart American\u00a0Mallory Comerford<\/strong>. But Sjostrom will be chasing the world record and, perhaps, a sub-52-second swim.<\/p>\n

Read below to see what\u00a0Swimming World’s\u00a0<\/em>trio of experts think will happen in\u00a0Budapest.\u00a0David Rieder<\/strong>,\u00a0John Lohn<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Andy Ross<\/strong>\u00a0will each offer their predictions for\u00a0who will finish on the podium.<\/p>\n

Women’s\u00a0100 Free<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Current Records:<\/h3>\n

World Record:<\/strong>\u00a0Cate Campbell, AUS (2016) — 52.06
\nChampionship Record:<\/strong>\u00a0Britta Steffen, GER (2009) — 52.07
\nAmerican Record:<\/strong>\u00a0Simone Manuel, USA (2016) — 52.70<\/p>\n

2015 World Champion:<\/strong>\u00a0Bronte Campbell, AUS — 52.52
\n2016 Olympic Gold Medalist:<\/strong>\u00a0Simone Manuel, USA & Penny Oleksiak, CAN — 52.70
\n2017 World No. 1:<\/strong>\u00a0Sarah Sjostrom, SWE — 52.08<\/p>\n

Swimming World Predictions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

David Rieder’s Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold:<\/strong>\u00a0Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
\nSilver<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Simone Manuel, USA
\nBronze:<\/strong> Penny Oleksiak, CAN<\/p>\n

John Lohn’s Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold:<\/strong>\u00a0Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
\nSilver<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Simone Manuel, USA
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0Penny Oleksiak, CAN<\/p>\n

Andy Ross’ Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold:<\/strong>\u00a0Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
\nSilver<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Bronte Campbell, AUS
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0Simone Manuel, USA<\/p>\n

Previous\u00a0Events<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Day One:<\/h3>\n