FLASH! Hubert Kos Blitzes Another World Record in 100 Backstroke
The star Hungarian has been the world’s dominant 200 backstroker for the last three years, having captured gold at four different global meets before capturing the short course world record in the event Thursday evening. Now, Kos has entered historic territory in the 100-meter race as well, capping off the World Cup circuit with a dazzling performance in the 100 back in Toronto.
Kos was not challenged in any backstroke event during the three World Cup meets, having secured crowns in all three distances. Indeed, he jumped in front of the field in the Toronto final and moved almost four tenths ahead of world-record pace at the halfway point. Kos had been under record pace one week earlier in Westmont, Ill., when he ended up posting a World Cup record of 48.58, but this time, he would maintain his speed and power down the stretch to beat out the four-year-old record previously held by American Coleman Stewart.
Kos finished in 48.16, 0.17 ahead of Stewart’s old time of 48.33. After the race, Kos was awarded a pair of checks for $10,000, first for sweeping the 100 back at all three meets and then for securing the global standard. An even greater payday awaits later in the session as Kos is honored as the overall men’s winner of the World Cup circuit.
Poland’s Kacper Stokowski finished second in 49.41 while Estonia’s Ralf Tributsov ended up third in 49.92.
