Barratt Sets New Personal Best in Qualifying for 50m Back Final
Holly Barratt has swum a new personal best to qualify for the final of the women’s 50m backstroke at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest.
Barratt lowered her new mark to 27.51, recording the equal fifth fastest time alongside fellow Aussie Emily Seebohm.
Brazil’s Etiene Medeiros was fastest qualifier (27.18) ahead of Yuanhui Fu of China and Kathleen Baker of the United States.
The final will be raced on night five, with Barratt becoming the first Western Australian on the 2017 Australian Dolphins team to qualify for an individual final swim.
The 29 year-old Rockingham Swim Club member is making her long-course world championships debut in Hungary.
In the women’s 200m butterfly, Rio Olympian Brianna Throssell was unable to better her heat qualifying time and has missed progression to the final.
In the morning heats, Throssell set a time of 2:08.98 for 11th ranking overall, which saw her return for the night session where her semi-final time of 2:10.58 was 16th fastest, short of the top eight qualification for Thursday’s final.
From a national viewpoint, Emma McKeon continued her medal streak, adding two further silver medals to her collection, via the 200m freestyle and as a member of the Australian Mixed 4x100m medley relay. McKeon was joined by Mitch Larkin, Dan Cave and Bronte Campbell in the final. Australia has currently won five silver medals in Budapest.
Further race results and details from the 2017 World Championships can be accessed via the official event website.
Photo: Swimming Australia Ltd