Emma McKeon's golden year in the pool has continued, with the Wollongong talent claiming victory at the 2021 FINA World Cup.
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The 27-year-old pocketed $12,000 in prize money after finishing as the women's top point scorer on Saturday, pipping Kirsa Toussaint (The Netherlands) by 0.1 points. Swiss swimmer Maria Ugolkova finished third, while the men's division was won by Japan's Daiya Seto.
This year's world cup was held across four venues during October, capped off with a three-day meet in Kazan, Russia. McKeon seemed to save her best until last, claiming wins in the 50-metre freestyle, 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly.
McKeon claimed the 100m freestyle in an impressive time of 50.67 seconds. Speaking to the media afterwards, she was delighted with the result.
"I'm very happy with my swim tonight, that was only 0.1 off my best, and to do that after having done the 100m fly not long before it, I think all of the training I did leading into the Olympics is still paying off," she said.
"There's definitely always things to improve on and I think that's what motivates me in my swimming in general. I feel like my technique is where my advantages are. I'd say the most difficult leg was probably this one (100m freestyle) because I was so exhausted and ready to be finished. But once I set my mind to something, I go all in for it. And once I decided to do this, that's what I did."
McKeon's cup victory comes on the back of her record-breaking achievements at this year's Olympic Games. The Illawarra swimmer officially became Australia's greatest Olympian after winning seven medals - including four golds - in Tokyo.
McKeon also became the second person of any nationality to win seven medals at a Games, after Soviet gymnast Maria Gorokhovskaya achieved the feat in 1952.
I think all of the training I did leading into the Olympics is still paying off.
- - Emma McKeon
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