Masse ‘in shock’ after 100m backstroke gold

BUDAPEST: Kylie Masse of Canada stormed to women’s 100m backstroke gold in a new worldrecord time at the world aquatics championships on Tuesday -- and struggled to believe she had won.

The 21-year-old clocked 58.10 seconds, breaking Gemma Spofforth’s previous mark of 58.12sec from the 2009 championships in the era of the now-banned neoprene suits.

“I was making sure I was reading the right name and the right time, I was lost for words immediately after -- I’m still in shock,” admitted Masse.

“I knew it was there, and that I was close to it after our trials in April.

“It was a goal. I was aiming to do it here and if not, there are plenty of other meets next year where I could take a shot at it again.

“I came in with a focus on myself and what I had been working on all season, I also wanted to soak up the atmosphere of it all.”

Masse said winning the bronze medal at last year’s Rio Olympics gave her the belief to be world champion.

“It was a dream come true to make the Olympics team and then make the podium after that,” she said.

“I got a lot of confidence in myself, competing in finals on an international level.

“It’s incredible to be part of this Canadian generation.

“Last summer, we got a lot of confidence in ourselves as a team (in Rio). “In years to come it’s momentum, for swimming Canada in general, it was inspiring for younger generations to get into sport.”

Kathleen Baker of the United States took silver, 0.48sec back, while Emily Seebohm of Australia brushed off a cold to claim bronze, 0.49 behind.