Aussie Sprint King Cam McEvoy Equals World’s Fastest 25m Freestyle With Sizzling 9.36 at Short Course Sprints
Australia’s two-time world and Olympic 50m freestyle champion Cam McEvoy has tonight won the first official 25m freestyle race – equaling his own unofficial world best time of 9.36 seconds in a sizzling swim at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
It was the first time that a 25m event had been swum at an Australian Short Course Championship Sprints Meet and given the reception and reaction the event has received – capturing the imagination of the swimming world, it won’t be the last.
The 31-year-old Queensland sprint king equalled the time he set in July before leaving for the World Championships in Singapore where he won his second 50m freestyle long course world title, 12 months after winning the prestigious Olympic gold.
There are no previously officially recorded times available to suggest that any swimmer has ever swum a time faster than 9.36 seconds for 25m freestyle.
McEvoy, who has turned freestyle sprinting on its head since unveiling his revolutionary dry-land training programs in the lead up to Paris, clocked 9.37 in this morning’s heats, improving his time by 0.01 in a spectacular exhibition of powerhouse freestyle sprinting in the hyped up final.
It now gives the four-time Olympian, the three fastest times ever recorded.
McEvoy (Somerville House, QLD), saying after the race that he “felt like a six-year-old boy swimming in his first swim meet” thanking the Melbourne crowd for their support of the event.
“I couldn’t even recollect anything that happened in that 9.36 seconds You dive, four kicks, 11 strokes ……close your eyes…and hit the wall…….” said McEvoy, who powered off the blocks in a stunning display of power swimming.
“Thanks to the crowd for your support and huge thanks to Australian head coach Rohan Taylor and Swimming Australia for getting behind this…..”
Such is the interest, the 25m freestyle is certain to be included in future Australian Sprints and State Championships – thanks to the drive and determination of Cam McEvoy
Nunawading’s Callum Halloran-Lavelle finished second in 10.22 with Samuel Herraman (Southport, QLD) third in 10.35.
The corresponding women’s event went to 15-year-old Canberra girl Lily Young (Cruiz, ACT) who clocked 11.58, from Mackenzie Burns (St Andrews, QLD) 11.60 and Jodie Mead (Woy Woy, NSW) 11.71.
In other events, McEvoy’s Paris Olympic teammate Sam Short followed his 400m win from night one with another impressive personal best time of 14:25.26 to win the 1500m freestyle in the second fastest time by an Australian.
Only bettered by Australian record holder and two-time Olympic champion and former world record holder Grant Hackett’s 14:10.10, set back in 2001.
With the 100m freestyle a real ding-dong battle between two Paris Olympians, Kai Taylor (St {Peters Western QLD) edging out Matt Temple (Marion, SA) 47.31 to 47.37, James Ward (Caulfield, VIC) third in 47.89.
While Singapore World Championship teammates Brittany Castelluzzo (Tea Green Gully, SA) holding off local girl Tara Kinder (Melbourne Vicentre, VIC) 1:54.69 to 1:54.99 with Lucy Dring (USC Spartans, QLD) third in 1:57.57.
The 800m freestyle going to Amelie Smith (Rocky City, QLD) in 8:34.51 from Sienna Deurloo (Toowoomba Grammar, QLD) 8:44.10 and Arika Erdenko (Surrey Park, VIC) third in 8:45.28.
