American Regan Smith sets world record in 100-metre backstroke at U.S. Olympic trials

No one was beating Regan Smith in her signature event.

Bouncing back from a close-but-no-Olympics call in her first race, Smith set a world record in the women’s 100-meter backstroke at the U.S. swimming trials on Tuesday night.

Smith touched in 57.13 seconds, easily beating the mark of 57.33 set a year ago by Australia’s Kaylee McKeown.

“That was part of the plan,” said Smith, who is heading to the Olympics for the second time. “I’m so happy.”

Flipping to her back, Smith set the second world record of the trials, following Walsh’s mark in the semifinals of the 100 fly.

Smith won a bronze medal in the 100 backstroke at the Tokyo Olympics. She’s now established herself as the favourite for gold in Paris.

Katharine Berkoff claimed the second expected Olympic spot for the U.S. with a time of 57.91.