The China Mail - McKeown eyeing world record after sizzling at Australian trials

The Olympic champion, who has been struggling with illness this week, was under her own world record pace at the halfway mark before easing home in 2mins 03.98 secs.

It was the fastest globally this year and the 11th quickest of all time with second-placed Iona Anderson (2:07.59) trailing in her wake.

"Tonight, I just kind of wanted to go out and see what I could come back with," said McKeown, who owns the three fastest times in history.

"Unfortunately, that last 50, oh my gosh, I was in so much pain.

"I closed my eyes when I saw the 15-metre rope. I was like, 'no, I'm so far', but that's a season best for me this year. So I'm happy with that... but I would have liked to have done a little bit better tonight."

Asked if a new world record was in her sights, McKeown replied: "I haven't done a PB (personal best) for three and a half years, so I'm waiting for it."

Her 2:03.14 world record has stood since March 2023.

The six-day trials act as qualifying for not just the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but also the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, California in August.

Chalmers, who won gold-silver-silver in the 100m freestyle at the last three Olympics, proved he still has what it takes by hitting the wall first in 47.59 to win by almost a body length.

"I'm still loving it," he said. "I think 11 years ago I qualified for my first Australian team in that event in that lane, so it's cool to be still doing it such a long time afterwards.

"I've got some coaches that really believe in me, believe in me probably more than I do myself and I'm loving going to training every single day."

Lani Pallister continued her stellar trials with victory in the 800m freestyle, clocking 8:13.41.

She had already come second to Olympic champion Mollie O'Callaghan in a new personal best to match Canada's Summer McIntosh as the fifth fastest woman over 200m.

The 24-year-old also posted a sub-four minute swim in the 400m freestyle, with the 1500m still to come.

William Petric won the men's 200m medley in 1:57.55, while Elizabeth Dekkers stopped the clock at 2:04.95 in the women's race with only Summer McIntosh going faster this year.

K.Leung--ThChM