[ad_1]
American Regan Smith broke Australia’s Kaylee McKeown’s world record in the 100m backstroke, six weeks before their upcoming clash in Olympics in Paris.
IN USA swimming trials, Smith touched in 57.13 seconds, easily surpassing the mark of 57.33 set a year ago by McKeown.
“Reagan Smith gets it back, and you can bet that sends a message to Kaylee McKeown,” NBC Sports commentator Roddy Gaines said on commentary.
Get the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
Smith was just 17 when she first set the 100m world record at the 2019 world championships, but she struggled to cope with the sudden, new-found fame, ceding her race dominance to McKeown.
“A long time ago,” Smith said.
“It is time.”
There was never any doubt about Smith’s talent, but his lack of confidence was almost crippling at times.
She has been working with a sports psychologist since October, which has helped turn things around mentally. Her coach, Bob Baumann, best known for his work with 23-time gold medalist Michael Phelps, took care of the physical side with a grueling training regimen.
“It’s incredibly rewarding,” Smith said.
“When I was a teenager, I didn’t do much. There was no pressure on me. I was always the youngest … I could go into it fearlessly.”
After tasting success, it was difficult to get back to the top. She made the U.S. team for the Tokyo Olympics, but finished third in the backstroke while McKeown took the gold.
“I’ve always had it physically, but I haven’t had it mentally,” Smith admitted.
“I just didn’t have it here,” pointing to his head.
It sets the stage for an intriguing battle at the Olympics next month.
McKeown came close to breaking his own record at the Australian Swimming Trials last week before saying he hoped Smith would be faster.
“I don’t want to go to the Olympics and not be challenged,” McKeown said last week.
“That’s what I go in for and that’s why everyone goes.
“I don’t look nervous at all. I think the better the sport, the more it brings people out.
“I expect world records to be broken, I expect this, I expect that.
“If it happens, it will happen. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. It makes me a better athlete.”
– With AP
[ad_2]
