2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Sunday, July 23rd – Sunday, July 30th
- Budapest, Hungary
- LCM (50m)
- Full Competition Schedule
- Meet Info
- Psych Sheets
- Omega Results
- Pick ’em Contest
- Event-by-Event Previews
After setting the world record leading off the 400 free relay on day 1, Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom was considered a slam dunk to win 100 free gold. Simone Manuel was one of the front-runners for silver, but she did the unthinkable in the final.
Sjostrom was out fast, under world record pace in 24.75, but Manuel began making up ground on the last 25. She closed with every stroke, and at the touch she edged Sjostrom by four one-hundredths of a second, 52.27 to 52.31.
Manuel shatters the American record, which Mallory Comerford set leading off the 400 free relay in 52.59. Manuel’s old record stood at 52.70, which she set winning Olympic gold last summer when she also upset a massive favorite, Aussie Cate Campbell.
Manuel also jumps from 8th to 4th on the all-time top performers list, trailing only Sjostrom, Campbell, and Britta Steffen. It was also the 6th fastest performance in history.
This marks the first U.S. gold in the event since Jenny Thompson won in 1998. This comes just a day after Caeleb Dressel became the first American man to win the title since 2001.
Pernille Blume broke the Danish record for the third consecutive time, clocking 52.69 to win bronze over Comerford (52.77). She makes her way onto the all-time top performers list in 8th.
Top Ten All-Time Performers – Women’s 100 Free
| 1 | Sarah Sjostrom | 51.71 |
| 2 | Cate Campbell | 52.06 |
| 3 | Britta Steffen | 52.07 |
| 4 | Simone Manuel | 52.27 |
| 5 | Bronte Campbell | 52.52 |
| 6 | Mallory Comerford | 52.59 |
| 7 | Libby Trickett | 52.62 |
| 8 | Pernille Blume | 52.69 |
| 9 | Femke Heemskerk | 52.69 |
| 10 | Penny Oleksiak | 52.70 |
I remember maybe less than 2 years ago when people on here were freaked out that we had no female sprinters. Now we have a 52.2/52.5 punch.
I was rooting for Mallory to get the bronze. That’s what I focused on the entire race. It was just like Meili the other day. I didn’t think Mallory would beat Simone or Sjostrom. Everything tends to go back to the beginning — how good are you? — as opposed to short term obsession.
Mallory did fine with another sub-53 but once she missed the turn slightly I was worried she’d be 4th or 5th. And that’s what happened. Mallory fares best when she turns very tight to the wall. I’ve seen it in her college races. Sometimes she hits one after another perfectly in the 200 short. When she’s coiled tightly after turning tight to the wall she really… Read more »
I like your comments. Like a teenager who grows so fast that cannot coordinate his movements Mallory’s rise to the world elite was so fast that she may not learn yet all aspects of how to win at such competitions like world championships. I believe she will be very soon the leader in U.S. sprint. She is more like Sarah Sjostrom style and it is very possible will progress in 200 as well moving into 1:54 territory.
Curious how you guys view the 53.00 mark for women compared to 48.00 on the men’s side. Back in 2009, sub53 for women was very rare while sub48 for men was common place. Because of this, I felt Steffen’s WR was significantly stronger than Cielo’s mark, but it seems to me that the period up to 2013, women were substantially underswimming this event compared to the men and have just caught up. Of course the reverse argument could also be made. What do you guys think?
i can’t think anymore ……this session nearly got me lol
Don’t get me wrong, I’m super happy for Simone and her winning the event, but I think it’s interesting how many people in the comments say they are not shocked by the result, even though Sarah broke the world record in the event earlier in the meet. To me, it seems like quite a few have overlooked Sarah’s chances of winning due Simone claiming the title back in Rio last year.
sit down sweetie
Ahahahaha
You tell ’em girl! Hahahhahahahahaha
I’m a guy..
I just love how everyone said Simone couldn’t do it and that Mallory had took her place, good on Simone for sticking to her plan
It’s nice to have an one-two punch in the 100 m events:
Manuel – Comerford
Baker – Smoliga
King – Meili
Worrell –
Oh well, one short this year.
At this rate, it’ll probably take sub 53 second times to even make the finals in 2020.
This performance by Simone is more amazing than her Olympic gold performance, only in that her time was so much faster. In other respects, it was equal to it.
Simone make us redefine the word “chill.”
She has ice in her veins.
I’m sure Simone has worked very hard for this but she’s so lucky people always choke against her.
Awwww. You more pressed than a panini. Are you mad?
Actually most these swimmers haven’t been pressed in the finals leading up to the big events. (Rio/Worlds). Simone simply apples pressure and they tighten up.
“Applies pressure”
she presses on the apples …….sure does lol
??
This is such a bad take. It was the most stacked heat of women’s 100 free probably ever, and even the best athletes get rattled. Simone stayed calm. She executed her race plan when it counted. The others did not.
Do not put an asterisk on this woman’s world championship.
Maybe she does just “apply pressure” I don’t know I’m not taking away from her win just making an observation that twice now the favorite coming into the meet choked leaving it open for her to win.
Why in God’s name does it always feel like people explain away Simone achievements, but they never explain away her shortcomings? IMO Sjostrom didn’t choke, She was out-touched by someone who swam a better race when it counted. Choking is someone who ends up completely off the podium despite being heaving favored a la Cate Campbell.
Gotta remember lucknis when preparation and opportunity meet.
try the apples , it works better
If you’re not taking anything from her win, then don’t go making observations that take away from her win. Anyone can have all the talent and training in the world, it is how the person performs with it all on game day counts that matter. Every time Simone has had to deliver, she has. I personally think, this can only motivate/inspire her even more. Nothing does more to her confidence going forward than the knowledge of taking down C1 and Sjostrom when it mattered the most despite everyone betting against her.
Agree..this was a mental race! Simone was clutch!
CLUTCH!
Sounds like sour grapes to me.
I guess it was just luck balancing studies and double practices while attending Stanford….one of the most prestigious and difficult universities in the United States. And I guess Simone was also really lucky to be able to spend her Christmas and Spring Break at the OTC (Olympic Training Center) as opposed too on a beach like most college students. NCAA College swimmers lives are not luck KING KONG. It’s hard work and sacrifice.