A much-anticipated swimming showdown between Kaylee McKeown and Regan Smith is a step closer to reality after both athletes qualified for the women’s 100m backstroke semi-finals at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships on Monday, 28 July.
Another large crowd, several with hooters, greeted the athletes in Singapore’s World Championships Arena.
First up from the favourites group was double Olympic champion McKeown, who had a customary steely focus in her eye as she approached the blocks in heat five.
The Australian has not competed much since her Paris 2024 heroics, but looked smooth in the water as she took first place with 58.57, almost a second clear of her nearest rival.
It was then over to top seed and world record holder Smith of the United States, who went out strong on the first lap before easing up to out-touch Canada’s Kylie Masse, winning the heat in 58.20.
It was a good session for Team USA, with heat four winner Katharine Berkoff (58.55) taking the second-fastest time overall behind Smith.
McKeown, Smith, Berkoff and Masse will return to action this evening in the semi-finals, where they will hope to book a berth in tomorrow’s final.