Seebohm Overcomes Health Issues To Defend Title In Commonwealth Record 2:05.68 – SwimVortex.com

Emily Seebohm of Australia on her way out after winning in the women's 200m Backstroke Final during the Swimming competition held at the Duna Arena during the 17th FINA World Championships 2017 in Budapest, Hungary, 29 July 2017.

Emily Seebohm clambered out of the water and lay on her back on poolside with tears pouring down her face after she defended her 200m backstroke title in a new Oceania and Commonwealth record of 2:05.68.

Fourth at the final turn, Seebohm produced a last 50 of 31.38 the only sub-32 in the field to take 1.13secs off previous leader Katinka Hosszu for Australias first gold medal in Budapest.

Hosszu, who took over the lead on the third 50, was second in 2:05.87 with Kathleen Baker, of the United States, third in 2:06.48, on her first international outing over 200m.

There was also a world junior record for Australian Kaylee McKeown who clocked 2:06.76 in fourth, eclipsing the previous mark of 2:07.19 held by Regan Smith since Fridays semis, the American finishing eighth in Budapest.

Emily Seebohm of Australia by Patrick B. Kraemer

It has been a difficult 12 months for Seebohm who finished outside the medals in the 100 and 200 back at last years Olympics in Rio where health matters outside her control conspired to debilitate her both physically and mentally going in to the Games.

She was eventually diagnosed with endometriosis, a gynaecological condition, she revealed to Nicole Jeffery of The Australian, but the doctors findings a month before the Games could only be confirmed through surgery, impossible if she was to compete in Brazil.

Instead, she travelled to Rio, finishing seventh in the 100m before exiting the 200 at the semi-final stage although she battled demons both physical and mental to play a part in the 4x100m medley relay squad that won silver.

She then had surgery after Christmas which confirmed she did have endometriosis and although there were still difficult times, Seebohm has adapted to having the condition, in both mind and body.

The 25-year-old has fought back and on Saturday added a fine and mature gold to the bronze she won in the 100m.

It was an emotional night for Seebohm who held back the tears as she spoke following the race.

I guess for me it was really hard after Rio, I knew there was a lot going on in my body and I really pushed through in Rio, Seebohm said through Swimming Australia.

After the surgery (for endometriosis) I got my wisdom teeth out in January, and then I had to rush back into the water and train really hard for this and Im just amazed at what I have achieved tonight.

I think what I did last year helped a lot, I was very mentally and physically tough last year even though I was struggling a lot it definitely helped me coming into this year, feeling better inside myself, feeling better inside my head and to come into this year and just absolutely enjoy every moment that Ive had its just been a fantastic meet.

Honestly, Im pretty relieved, she added.

Im just really honoured and proud, such a fast field tonight and I was going to be proud of myself whether I won or I came last because getting back into the pool after Rio was really hard.

Everything Ive gone through it just proves to myself that it wasnt me, that Rio was just one of those things that happens in life and sometimes youve got to go down, to get back up.

Seebohm had qualified fastest for Saturdays final, her time of 2:05.81 equalling her Commonwealth and Oceania record.

Katinka Hosszu of Hungary during the 17th FINA World Championships 2017 in Budapest, Hungary.

Hosszu who, SwimVortex understands, has been provided with a lock-up cupboard in the prep area near the race pool and a limo at the back door to await her, privileges not extended by FINA to any other swimmer at the meet had squeaked into the final in seventh but, swimming from lane one, she appeared on course for victory, the Hungarian fans almost taking the roof off the Duna Arena when a number 1 came up next to her name on the final turn.

Pipped for victory, second left Hosszu who has been allowed to wear a branded cap with a business behind it on the deck despite FINA rules that do not allow it and at medal ceremonies with a medal of each colour so far with the 400IM to come on Sunday.

Having matched her silver medal from Rio, Hosszu said: I desperately wanted to claim a medal today so I am really happy about the silver.

Although I could not see Seebohm from lane one I knew she was coming and even though she was faster in the final sprint, I am not at all disappointed.

I managed to improve my personal best which I am really happy especially in the light of of my somewhat weaker performance yesterday.

Although there is still a lot to improve, I am not disappointed by my performance.

For Baker the four-length race was new territory, the American better known as a 100m specialist with silver here matching her second place in Rio.

There will be more outings for Baker over 200m, the 20-year-old a work in progress.

Honestly its been pretty amazing and Im definitely growing from this as a swimmer, she said through USA Swimming.

From going to just swimming the 100 back at international races to now swimming two other events, which ends up being six other races, is definitely is definitely a learning experience and learning how to conserve my energy is definitely something I can grow from.

Im just happy to come away with a medal.

With McKeown in fourth with that world junior mark, the race was rounded out by Kylie Masse (2:07.04), Hilary Caldwell (2:07.15), Daria K Ustinova (2:07.35) and Smith (2:07.42).

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Seebohm Overcomes Health Issues To Defend Title In Commonwealth Record 2:05.68 - SwimVortex.com