Summer McIntosh nearly broke another world record — and in the process set a junior world record and a national record at the Canadian Swim Trials.
The 16-year-old Torontonian broke records with a time of 2:6.89 to win the women’s 200-metre individual medley on Thursday. This time is the fourth fastest in the history of this event, the Hungarian Katinka Hosszu holding the world record with 2:06.12 since 2015.
McIntosh set his previous world junior and national records at the Pro Swim Series earlier this month with a time of 2:8.08. She had already broken the world record in the 400 freestyle on Tuesday.
“No, not at all,” McIntosh said, when asked if she was thinking about tackling the global brand on Thursday. “I never really focused on the records. »
“It’s good to know I’m getting close. But as long as I keep improving, technically and in terms of time, that’s what’s really important to me. I think the 200 IM is a race where I still have a lot to learn because I don’t have a lot of racing experience at the world level. »
Sydney Pickrem also reached the qualifying standard, stopping the clock at 2:8.61 for a personal best and second place.
The trials, involving 623 athletes from 148 clubs across the country, are a selection event for the World Championships taking place July 14-30 in Japan, the World Para Swimming Championships taking place July 31-6 August in Manchester, England, as well as the World Junior Championships in Netanya, Israel, and the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile later in the year.
Josh Liendo swam the fastest time in the world this season in the men’s 50m freestyle, stopping the clock at 21.80 seconds. The native of Markham, Ont., did the same on Wednesday in the 100m butterfly event.
“I’m just trying to go fast. I mean, that’s pretty much what it boils down to, said Liendo, who set the Canadian record of 21.61 at the 2022 World Championships, where he finished fifth. I’m just running and getting ready for summer. I feel good and fast. »
Maggie MacNeil of London, Ont., also hit the World Aquatics standard in the women’s 50 freestyle, winning the final in 24.79, slicing nearly half a second off her previous best of 25.21.
“The goal was definitely to go under 25 tonight and I’m very happy about that,” said the 23-year-old. The 50 free is always a fun event for me. I’m really happy to see this time. »
Also, Finlay Knox of Okotoks, Alta., broke his national record in the men’s 200 IM with a winning time of 1:57.26.
