Australian swimmer Kaylee McKeown triumphed over personal challenges to secure gold in the women’s 100m backstroke at the World Swimming Championships in Singapore. This victory marked Australia’s third gold medal in the competition, propelling the nation to the top of the medal table as the event entered its fourth day.
Initially hesitant to compete in the 100m backstroke, McKeown’s decision to face her fears paid off. “I just didn’t want to keep steering away from fear,” she stated following her win on July 4, 2023. “The more that you feel fear, it becomes like a monster. And you have got to chase your demons at some point.” Her victory came with a personal best time of 57.16 seconds, just 0.03 seconds shy of the world record set by American Regan Smith.
Overcoming Adversity and Doubt
McKeown, who experienced severe post-Olympic blues after winning two gold medals in Paris last year, had to navigate a challenging year leading up to the championships. Her long-time coach Michael Bohl relocated to China, prompting McKeown to switch training camps multiple times. Adding to her struggles, she dislocated her shoulder following Australia’s selection trials.
Despite these setbacks, McKeown arrived in Singapore with a determination to prove herself. “There were a lot of comments about me, saying that I’m scared to lose,” she reflected. “But that’s not the case at all. If anything, I’m scared to fail myself.” She emphasized her commitment to hard work, stating, “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.”
With this win, McKeown now boasts five individual gold medals at the World Championships, placing her just behind Ian Thorpe, who holds the record with six. The 24-year-old swimmer expressed her emotions post-race, saying, “It’s a little bit emotional. I have worked so hard just to get myself into a happy state and it’s just what I’ve been focusing on.” She added, “A happy swimmer is a fast swimmer,” highlighting the importance of mental well-being in athletics.
Looking Ahead
McKeown will continue to chase more medals, participating in the mixed 4x100m medley relay on July 5, 2023. Her fellow Australian Mollie O’Callaghan is set to compete as a favorite in the women’s 200m freestyle final, alongside Jamie Perkins. Notably, world record holder Ariarne Titmus is currently on a post-Olympic break.
Meanwhile, Sam Short, who recently earned a silver medal in the men’s 400m freestyle, will aim for gold in the 800m freestyle. Veteran swimmer Kyle Chalmers will begin his individual program in the men’s 100m freestyle heats and semi-finals, following his contribution to Australia’s victory in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay.
As the World Championships progress, the Australian team continues to showcase their strength, with McKeown leading the charge and demonstrating that resilience in the face of challenges can yield remarkable results.
