LumaLanes Performance of the Week: Liu Xiang Makes History In 50 Backstroke

Photo Courtesy: Jinq En Phee

This week’s Performance Of The Week, sponsored by LumaLanes, goes to Liu Xiang for her gold medal and world record performance in the women’s 50 backstroke at the 2018 Asian Games.

Liu became the first woman to swim the 50 back under 27 seconds, blasting a 26.98 in the championship final of the event to break the old world record by 0.13 and win the event by more than half a second.

Aside from the fact that it is barrier breaking world record swim, Liu’s swim is also significant for the fact that it broke one of the last supersuit world records on the books. Her swim bested fellow Chinese Zhao Jing’s previous world record (27.06) from 2009, keeping China’s streak in the event alive.

Liu’s only previous international medal was a bronze from the 2015 World Championships in the 50 back, where she finished in 27.58 behind teammate Fu Yuanhui (Fu was in the championship final at the Asian Games and finished second behind her).

Congratulations Liu Xiang on earning Swimming World’s Performance of the Week!

Special Thanks to LumaLanes for sponsoring Swimming World’s Performance of the Week.

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