Canadian Olympic bronze medalist Kylie Masse of LaSalle, Ontario is now in the record books for swimming. Masse set a world record on Tuesday in the women’s 100m backstroke in winning the gold medal at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Masse posted a world record time of 58.10 seconds to break the previous world record of Gemma Spofforth of Great Britain, who posted a world record time of 58.12 seconds in winning the gold medal in the women’s 100m backstroke at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships in Rome, Italy.
On Tuesday, Masse beat Kathleen Baker of the United States by 0.48 seconds to finish on top of the podium. Baker, who posted a silver medal winning time of 58.58 seconds was one one-hundredth of a second faster than bronze medalist Emily Seebohm of Australia, who had a bronze medal winning time of 58.59 seconds.
Despite a bit of a slow start, Masse had an excellent final 50 metres and set the world record. She easily got on to the podium. Masse was 0.67 seconds faster than fourth place finisher Olivia Smoliga of the United States.
Masse was also 0.66 seconds faster than her bronze medal winning time at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro of 58.76 seconds. In winning the gold medal in Budapest with a world record time, Masse should be considered the favourite for the 2017 Bobbie Rosenfeld Award and a serious contender for the 2017 Lou Marsh Award. Her confidence should also skyrocket as she prepares for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
