By Sean Griffin on SwimSwam
2025 AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Monday, April 21st – Thursday, April 24th Prelims at 10am local (8pm ET night before)/Finals at 6pm local (4am ET) Brisbane Aquatic Centre, Queensland, Australia LCM (50m) Meet Central SwimSwam Preview Initial Entries Start List Live Results Livestream Day 1 Prelims Recap | Day 1 Finals Recap Day 2 Prelims Recap | Day 2 Finals RecapDuring the second finals session of the 2025 Australian Open, Kaylee McKeown delivered a strong performance in the women’s 100 backstroke final. She improved upon her own world-leading time of 57.73 from the New South Wales State Open Championships in late March, notching a new mark of 57.65.
McKeown opened 0.13 seconds slower through the first 50 tonight, compared to her swim last month, but closed more than two-tenths faster. Below is a full splits comparison between her two world-leading swims, in addition to her 57.33 personal best set at the 2023 World Cup, when she broke the world record that has since been claimed by American Regan Smith, as well as her performance in the 2024 Olympic final.
Splits Comparison:
McKeown’s Performance Tonight McKeown’s Former World Leading Performance McKeown’s 2024 Olympic Performance McKeown’s Former World Record First 50m 28.29 28.16 28.08 28.15 Second 50m 29.36 29.57 29.25 29.18 Total Time 57.65 57.73 57.33 57.33Notably, McKeown’s 57.65 would have earned her the Olympic title at the Paris Games, where she claimed gold with a time of 57.33. Team USA’s Smith, who broke the world record at the U.S. Trials with a time of 57.13, posted a 57.66 in the Olympic final to take silver.
When asked about her time tonight, McKeown said, “It’s good. You know, you’ve got to be realistic. And, you know, this time of year, people are just gearing up for trials and then onto Worlds.”
Reflecting on her downtime after the 2024 season, McKeown was asked what the most fun thing she did during her break was. She replied, “I think just being with family and friends. We take it for granted. They supported me through a lot, so it was just nice to spend time with them and actually be a normal human for once.”
When asked if she’s feeling refreshed after the Olympic year, she added, “Look, it’s been hard getting back in. I’m not going to beat around the bush. It’s really hard to go from such a high level back down to rock bottom. But, you know, I believe that it builds character and makes you stronger. So LA’s [the 2028 Olympics] looking good.”
Current World Rankings:
Kaylee McKeown (AUS) – 57.65 (4/22)* Regan Smith (USA) – 58.64 (3/8) Roos Vanotterdijk (BEL) – 58.97 (2/8) Wan Letian (CHN) – 59.06 (3/22) Mollie O’Callaghan (AUS) – 59.23 (4/22)Last year, McKeown ranked 1st in the world in two events and 2nd in three others. She led the global rankings in the 50 back (27.07) and 200 back (2:03.30), while situating herself 2nd in the 100 back (57.33), 200 IM (2:06.63), and 400 IM (4:28.22). In addition to the aforementioned 100 back, the Australian star successfully defended her title in the 200 back at the Olympics, once again defeating her main challenger, Smith, when it mattered most. McKeown also earned a bronze in the 200 IM, adding two relay medals for a total of five individual and team medals in Paris.
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