Swimming world in awe of Kaylee McKeown feat as Aussie hunts down Ian Thorpe record
Having left Paris as the flag bearer following two individual gold medals - and five medals - in the pool, McKeown struggled with a change of scenery. Last year, McKeown withdrew from the World Cup series in China to prioritise her mental health.
And just before her race, it was revealed McKeown dislocated her shoulder four weeks ago during training after the national titles. But this didn't stop her from getting in the pool against her rival and recording a personal best to win the women's 100m backstroke and finishing just 0.03 seconds outside of the world record.
McKeown produced another trademark finish to storm home over her American rival to break the Oceania and World Aquatic Championship record. The 24-year-old has endured a tough time in recent months having admitted she has worked hard to feel happy again in the water.
And McKeown was all smiles as she touched the wall in first and prove she is the best backstroke swimmer out there. "It's a little bit emotional," McKeown said.
"I have worked so hard just to get myself into a happy state and it's just what I've been focusing on. It goes to show that a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer. I have trained hard but I wasn't expecting to make a personal best tonight."
Kaylee McKeown's painful injury ahead of world title
McKeown revealed this isn't the first time she has suffered a dislocated shoulder. Although the Aussie admitted she was confident she could recover in time thanks to the help of her team. "I have got a really flexible stroke and it's my benefit when I swim my backstrokes," she said.
"But sometimes it can cause me to dislocate my shoulder. It's been quite irritated but I have got a good medical team and physiotherapists to help me get through. I'm really really proud. It's a little bit emotional."
McKeown admitted she had heard the chatter surrounding her ability to compete since the Olympics, but the world champion showed fans she is better than ever with the world record in sight. "There were a lot of comments of me, saying that I'm scared to lose," McKeown said.
"But that's not the case at all. If anything, I'm scared to fail myself. I have worked really, really hard to get up there and prove to myself that I am a good athlete and swimmer. It doesn't matter if I come first or last."
McKeown and Smith's rivalry is arguably the greatest in the sport with both athletes now holding the top 20 fastest times in the 100m event. McKeown has the edge over Smith in events having won the gold medal and world title, but Smith holds the world record. But fans are just appreciating their competition with McKeown continuing her dominance in backstroke.
Kaylee McKeown, Queen of the Backstroke. Just incredible, yet again.
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) July 29, 2025
This rivalry between Kaylee McKeown and Regan Smith is WILDLY under-appreciated.WHAT A RACE. AGAIN.🥇 Kaylee McKeown - 57.16 (AUS)🥈 Regan Smith - 57.35 (USA)🥉 Katharine Berkoff - 58.15 (USA) pic.twitter.com/xkCTwBvwqN
— Kyle Sockwell (@kylesockwell) July 29, 2025
During the third day of swimming at the 2025 World Championships, Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown won the women's 100 back in 57.16. This is a new Commonwealth and Oceanian record, and it is also the 2nd fastest performance of all time, only 0.03 behind Regan Smith's WR. pic.twitter.com/1oWSZaZhjN
— Swimming Stats (@SwimmingStats) July 29, 2025
Kalyee McKeown hunting Ian Thorpe's record
McKeown's latest gold medal now puts her right in the sights of legendary Aussie swimmer Thorpe. The 24-year-old now has five individual career gold at the world championships and only Thorpe has more with six.
The backstroke sensation has the opportunity to equal Thorpe's record in Singapore with the 200m backstroke event to come. McKeown holds the record in the 200m event and could finish the meet level with the Aussie Olympics great. McKeown opted not to compete in the 50m event where she also holds the world record.
Meanwhile Katie Ledecky showed why she is considered one of the greatest swimmers of all time having blitzed Lani Pallister in the 1500m freestyle to finish well ahead of her rivals. Pallister finished in bronze. Ledecky has now won the 1500m event six times at world titles and won 22 golds overall at the championships.
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