Commonwealth Games, Day One Finals: With Kaylee McKeown Out, Jenna Forrester Strikes Gold in Women’s 200 Backstroke
With Kaylee McKeown out of the Commonwealth Games due to glandular fever, the women’s 200 backstroke field became wide open. Jenna Forrester from Australia took advantage of the opening, as the 23-year-old came back strong on the field after turning fifth at the 100-meter mark. She touched in a time of 2:08.17 to claim the gold medal.
Forrester is best known for the 400 distances, especially in the medley, and less than an hour before the 200 back, Forrester placed third in the 400 free. She is also a two-time World Championships medalist in the 400 IM. This is Forrester’s first-ever international medal in a backstroke event. She dropped a second from her previous best time of 2:09.13, set at the 2026 Australian Trials.
“I didn’t expect that to happen,” Forrester said. “I was really happy with my 400 freestyle and I didn’t know what to expect going into that…I just gave it my all. I’m so proud of myself. I can’t believe I’m a Commonwealth Games champion.”
Forrester had a blazing back half, covering her final 50 in a 31.9, more than a second faster than any other medalist. With a strong 400 background, it is no surprise that she was so strong on the finish. Her time ranks her 12th in the world this season and puts her just outside the top-10 in the all-time Australian rankings.
The field in the 200 back was young. The silver medalist, Kaite Shanahan, came into the race with the most experience of the field and the fastest best time. Shanahan raced the event at the 2023 World Championships, where she finished fourth. This is the Scottish record holder’s fourth Commonwealth Games medal after finishing third in the 200 back at the 2022 Games. Shanahan touched in 2:08.54, about half a second faster than she was in 2022.
Aussie Hannah Fredericks took the race out quickly, splitting 1:01.7 at the 100 mark. Each 50 got progressively slower for Fredericks, and after a 34.0 last 50, she finished in third place. This is Fredericks’ first international medal. Fredericks holds a best time of 2:07.99 from the 2026 Australian Trials, a time that would have been good enough for gold.