{"id":266593,"date":"2017-07-19T15:00:09","date_gmt":"2017-07-19T22:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=266593"},"modified":"2017-07-18T11:30:18","modified_gmt":"2017-07-18T18:30:18","slug":"fina-world-championships-predictions-womens-50-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/fina-world-championships-predictions-womens-50-free\/","title":{"rendered":"FINA World Championships Predictions: Women’s 50 Free"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sarah Sjostrom<\/strong> missed the final of the women’s 50 free in Rio, but she has turned her fortunes in that event around over the past year, and she now sits well clear of anyone else in the world rankings heading into the FINA World Championships.<\/p>\n

Sjostrom’s best time this year is 23.83, the second-fastest mark in history behind\u00a0Britta Steffen’s\u00a0<\/strong>eight-year-old world record. Sjostrom could be worn down by this point in the World schedule, on the eighth and final day of competition, but the world record definitely could come under fire.<\/p>\n

But if she does falter, there are plenty of logical contenders to step into that void: The three Olympic medalists from last year (Pernille Blume<\/strong>,\u00a0Simone Manuel<\/strong> and\u00a0Aliaksandra Herasimenia<\/strong>), the reigning World Champion\u00a0(Bronte Campbell<\/strong>) and the 2012 Olympic champion (Ranomi Kromowidjojo<\/strong>).<\/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 50 Free<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Current Records:<\/h3>\n

World Record:<\/strong>\u00a0Britta Steffen, GER (2009) — 23.73
\nChampionship Record:<\/strong>\u00a0Britta Steffen, GER (2009) — 23.73
\nAmerican Record:<\/strong>\u00a0Dara Torres (2008) — 24.07<\/p>\n

2015 World Champion:<\/strong>\u00a0Bronte Campbell, AUS — 24.12
\n2016 Olympic Gold Medalist:<\/strong>\u00a0Pernille Blume, DEN — 24.07
\n2017 World No. 1:<\/strong>\u00a0Sarah Sjostrom, SWE — 23.83<\/p>\n

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

David Rieder’s Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold:<\/strong>\u00a0Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
\nSilver<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Pernille Blume, DEN
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED<\/p>\n

John Lohn’s Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold:<\/strong>\u00a0Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
\nSilver<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Simone Manuel, USA
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED<\/p>\n

Andy Ross’ Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold:<\/strong>\u00a0Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
\nSilver<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Simone Manuel, USA
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED<\/p>\n

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

Day One:<\/h3>\n