AFP, Tokyo :
World-record holder Kaylee McKeown upstaged American arch-rival Regan Smith to claim the 100m Olympic backstroke crown on Tuesday as Russia and Britain clinched titles to limit powerhouse United States to a single gold.
Australian sensation McKeown, who shattered Smith’s world record last month, flew through the water at the Tokyo Aquatic Center to touch in 57.47 seconds, a new Olympic record and only fractionally outside her own world best.
Smith had to settle for third behind Rio Olympic bronze medallist Kylie Masse of Canada.
McKeown, 20, broke Smith’s world record at the Australian trials last month, setting a new mark of 57.45, setting up a highly anticipated showdown in Tokyo.
It did not disappoint, with the Olympic record falling three times in the heats.
“My legs were definitely hurting in the last 20,” said an ecstatic McKeown, who switched up a gear to storm home after Masse turned first.
“I’m sure it would have been pretty noticeable on the TV but I trained for that and I knew that I had a really strong back end and a really good chance to be on the podium.”
McKeown had a tough lead-up to the Games, with her father dying last year from brain cancer.
“It’s not necessarily what I’ve been through,” she said. “Everyone has a journey of their own and it just so happens that mine’s been a really tough one.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way because I don’t think I’d be where I am today without all that happening.”
She is also targeting the 200m backstroke gold, having recently set the fourth-quickest time in history.
In a shock, Smith failed to qualify out of the American trials, with Rhyan White and Phoebe Bacon instead tasked with trying to stop McKeown.
In a day of upsets, American 100m breaststroke world-record holder and defending champion Lilly King was beaten, as was team-mate and 100m backstroke champion Ryan Murphy.
