American Brendan Hansen wrote himself into the record books with a stunning world record of 59.30 in the 100m breaststroke final at the United States Olympic Trials, knocking 38 one-hundredths of a second off the existing mark, held by Japan’s Kosuke Kitajima.
Hansen, the 2001 world champion in the 200m breaststroke event, had threatened the sixty second barrier in yesterday’s semi finals as he posted an American Record of 1:00.13, but capped even that with his finals performance. The Texan split a swift 27.93 at the 50m mark and followed that up with a remarkable 31.37 on the home lap to firmly install himself as favourite for the event in Athens. But having missed out on selection for the Sydney games Hansen will no doubt be relieved simply to have his place on the Olympic team confirmed. The previously unheralded Mark Gangloff took the other team spot in a quick 1:00.87.
Elsewhere, reigning Olympic Champion over 400m freestyle Brooke Bennet will not be able to defend her title, as she finished outside of the top two. Kaitlin Sandeno and Kalyn Keller took the two team spots. Another US Olympic legend Jenny Thompson also cut it fine coming in second behind Rachel Komisarz in the 100m fly, but should still make the journey to Greece for her fourth Olympics.
Meanwhile it was business as usual for Michael Phelps who cruised through to the 200m freestyle final in 1:47.42, just ahead of Klete Keller, while the men’s 100m backstroke is shaping up to be a final to remember, with the past two Olympic champions, Jeff Rouse and Lenny Krayzelburg joining world champion and record holder Aaron Peirsol in tomorrow’s final. In the corresponding ladies event, Nathalie Coughlin was head and shoulders above her rivals as she qualified fastest from the semi finals in 1:00.91.