BSP-01 Atherton breaks 55 seconds for new shortcourse 100m backstroke world record

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BSP-01

SWIM-INTERNATIONAL-LEAGUE

Atherton breaks 55 seconds for new shortcourse 100m backstroke world
record

BUDAPEST, Oct 28, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Australia’s Minna Atherton set a new
shortcourse world record in the 100m backstroke at the International Swimming
League (ISL) meet on Sunday, becoming the first woman to dip below 55
seconds.

The 19-year-old clocked 54.89sec to break the previous mark of 55.03sec set
by Hungarian golden girl Katinka Hosszu at the 2014 world championships.

“I’m really happy with that, especially since I just missed it in the relay
(earlier in the day),” said Atherton. “It will be exciting to see what is
coming up in the future.”

Also starring on Sunday was Britain’s Adam Peaty, a 2016 Olympic gold
medallist and eight-time world champion.

He followed up his 50m breaststroke win on Saturday with victory in the
100mm.

“It’s been brilliant, absolutely amazing,” said Peaty as he reflected on
his first appearance in the ISL season.

“I’ve never ever felt an energy like this, and I think it really helps
bringing all the different cultures, all the different team members around
the world together.”

The inaugural season of the ISL features six meetings in all with a series
finale in Las Vegas in December.

BSS/AFP/MSY/0831 hrs