Canada's Kylie Masse makes history, repeats as women's 100m backstroke world champion

Rudi Schuller

Canada's Kylie Masse makes history, repeats as women's 100m backstroke world champion image

She didn't get her world record back, but Kylie Masse still made history on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old Canadian won the women's 100-metre backstroke at the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, with a time of 58.60, giving her back-to-back gold medals in the event. With the victory, Masse becomes the first Canadian woman to successfully defend her world title.

“It’s definitely something I’ve been working on,” Masse said of defending the gold medal she won at the 2017 worlds with a then-world record time of 58.10. “I’ve been focusing on myself and not letting the pressure or expectations get to me.”

Reclaiming the top spot on the podium was obviously the main priority for Masse, but the LaSalle, Ont., native also had one eye on taking the world record back. Kathleen Baker of the U.S. rewrote the record books with a 58.00 clocking last year, but neither woman could improve on that time in Tuesday's race. Baker, who is dealing with a rib injury, finished in sixth place.

Another Canadian finished just outside the medals, as 19-year-old Taylor Ruck ended in fourth place with a time of 58.96

Rudi Schuller