Hold onto your goggles, swimming fans! Regan Smith just blazed her way into the record books, setting a new American record in the 200 backstroke with an astonishing time of 1:57.86! This incredible feat also earns her the #2 all-time performance in the world.
This electrifying swim happened at the 2025 WORLD AQUATICS SWIMMING WORLD CUP in Toronto, held from October 23rd to 25th, 2025. The competition took place in a short course meters (SCM) pool, which is 25 meters long.
Here's a quick recap of the key details:
- Meet: 2025 WORLD AQUATICS SWIMMING WORLD CUP – Toronto
- Dates: October 23-25, 2025
- Location: Toronto, Canada
- Pool Type: SCM (25 meters)
You can find more information here:
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets
- Live Results
Catch up on all the action with these recaps:
- Prelims: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
- Finals: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
Let's dive into the specifics of the women's 200 backstroke final:
- World Record: 1:57.33 – Kaylee McKeown (Australia, 2025)
- World Junior Record: 1:59.96 – Summer McIntosh (Canada, 2024)
- World Cup Record: 1:57.33 – Kaylee McKeown (Australia, 2025)
- Triple Crown Contender: Kaylee McKeown (AUS)
Top 8 Finishers:
- Kaylee McKeown (AUS) – 1:57.33 (New World Record)
- Regan Smith (USA) – 1:57.86 (New American Record)
- Phoebe Bacon (USA) – 2:00.80
- Ingrid Wilm (CAN) – 2:02.99
- Anastasiya Shkurdai (NAA) – 2:03.03
- Madison Kryger (CAN) – 2:03.84
- Hannah Fredericks (AUS) – 2:04.21
- Rhyan White (USA) – 2:04.53
Regan Smith's performance is even more impressive when you consider she also broke her own American record of 1:57.91, set just last week at the World Cup in Westmont. This shows her incredible consistency and drive!
Here's a comparison of her splits:
| | Toronto | Westmont | 2024 SCM Worlds |
| :-------------- | :------ | :------- | :-------------- |
| 50 | 27.79 | 28.03 | 27.76 |
| 100 | 29.71 | 29.82 | 29.83 |
| 150 | 30.26 | 30.06 | 30.24 |
| 200 | 30.1 | 30 | 30.21 |
| Final Time | 1:57.86 | 1:57.91 | 1:58.04 |
Smith's speed in the first 100 meters was particularly noteworthy, even outpacing Kaylee McKeown's World Record pace from the previous week. Although McKeown ultimately lowered the record to 1:57.33 in the final, Smith held the lead through the first half of the race.
And this is the part most people miss... Smith has now broken the sub-2:00 barrier in this event an impressive five times! Only Kaylee McKeown has done it more, with six sub-2:00 swims.
In conclusion, it was an amazing race.
What do you think? Are you surprised by Smith's performance? Do you think she'll break the world record soon? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
