BSP-04 Baker breaks 100m backstroke world record

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ZCZC

BSP-04

SWIM-USA-BAKER-RECORD

Baker breaks 100m backstroke world record

IRVINE, United States, July 29, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Kathleen Baker set a
world record of 58.00sec Saturday to win the 100m backstroke at the US
swimming championships.

Baker, silver medalist in the event at the 2016 Rio Olympics, improved on
the world record of 58.10 set by Canadian Kylie Masse at the World
Championships in Budapest on July 25 of last year.

Baker, who tied for first with Regan Smith in the 200m backstroke this
week, clocked a blistering 27.90sec over the first 50m and held on for the
victory.

She notched the first world record of the championships, the selection
meeting for next month’s Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo. The two meets
together are the qualifiers for the World Championships in South Korea next
year.

The top three finishers all broke 59 seconds, with Olivia Smoliga second
in 58.75 and Smith third in 58.83.

BSS/AFP/MSY/0855 hrs