DOHA – Alia Atkinson made history for Jamaica with a winning swim in the women’s 100 breaststroke at the FINA World Short Course Championships.
Atkinson touched out defending champion Ruta Meilutyte, 1:02.36 to 1:02.46, for the world, meet record and the gold medal, Friday, December 5.
That’s Jamaica’s first short course world title as Atkinson was already the only Jamaican swimmer to ever medal with silver medlas in the 50 breast (2012, 2014) and 100 breast (2012). It was also the fastest time for the distance ever recorded by a black woman.
Atkinson’s time tied Ruta Meilutyte’s world record of 1:02.36 from the Moscow stop of the FINA World Cup. It also broke Meilutyte’s meet record of 1:02.43 from during qualifying rounds.
Meilutyte’s time of 1:02.46 came up just short of making Meilutyte the first woman to ever defend this event’s title.
The Netherlands’ Moniek Nijhuis wound up taking bronze overall in 1:04.03, while China’s Shi Jinglin finished fourth in 1:04.52.
Australia’s Sally Hunter (1:04.82), Denmark’s Rikke Moller Pedersen (1:04.84), Sweden’s Jennie Johansson (1:05.08) and Belgium’s Fanny Lecluyse (1:05.58) placed fifth through eighth.
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