Krayzelburg Sets Third World Record
August 29, 1999 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Aug. 29, 1999
Former Trojan Lenny Krayzelburg had little to prove after breaking the world records for both the 100-meter and 200-meter backstrokes at the Pan Pacific Championships in Sydney, Australia.
But, as he said in his own words, "When you're hot, you're hot."
So Krayzelburg competed against only himself in a 50m backstroke time trial and broke his third world record of the meet on Saturday (Aug. 28).
He swam a 24.99, breaking the previous mark of 25.13, which was a set standard that FINA established when 50m stroke world records were recognized at the beginning of 1998 based on Jeff Rouse's time at a meet in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1993.
"I thought about it (going for the 50m world record) after the 100 when I was out pretty fast to the feet," Krayzelburg said. "I knew I could come pretty close to this record. The crowd was awesome. They were really supporting me. And the all the teams stood up and were clapping for me when I was walking to the blocks. That got me going and got my juices flowing. When I dove in, I felt really good."
Krayzelburg also came through as the lead-off of the 4x100m medley relay. He swam a 53.67 in the 100m back, just off his world record set earlier in the week. Krayzelburg's swim gave the U.S. a strong boost en route to the relay win, which clinched the team points competition for the U.S. over the Australians.
In addition, fellow former Trojan Lindsay Benko continued her excellent meet by claiming her fifth medal of these Championships, winning bronze in the 200m back with a 2:13.51.
