Team USA swimming superstar Regan Smith has broken the 100m backstroke world record for the second time this year, just two months after she won double gold at the Olympics.
The 22-year-old, from Lakeville, Minnesota, won gold in the 4x100m medley and 4x100m mixed medley in Paris, but has now broken out on her own to secure an incredible achievement in South Korea.
Appearing at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Incheon, Smith clocked 54.41 seconds, shaving 0.15 seconds off the previous record, set by her Olympic rival, Australian Kaylee McKeown.
Last week, Smith had an even faster first 50m and looked on course to break the world record, but she slowed down in the second half to finish with a 54.89.
‘I kind of died coming home last week,’ Smith explained, ‘so I wanted to clean that up tonight.’
Regan Smith celebrates after breaking the women’s 100m backstroke world record
Smith has enjoyed a successful few weeks in Asia – she is pictured in Shanghai last week
Smith (pictured) is currently enjoying a huge battle with Australian rival Kaylee McKeown
Smith and McKeown are two of swimming newest stars and went head-to-head at the Olympics just two months ago.
McKeown has swept the backstroke golds at the last two Games in Paris and Tokyo, but now Smith has taken a huge scalp after McKeown pulled out.
The Australian won their first head-to-head in Shanghai last week, but then withdrew, posting that she was putting her mental health first and needed a break.
Speaking of her rival, Smith said: ‘She’s incredible, and she is so consistent, so good at executing.
‘I wish she could be here because I just think we push each other so much.’
