Alabama’s Rhyan White is the 2021 World Champion in the 200m Backstroke
12/18/2021 12:04:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
With the win, White becomes the first member of the Crimson Tide women's swimming and diving program to earn an individual World Championship
ABU DHABI – Rhyan White used a huge final 50 to blast her way to a World Championship in the 200-meter backstroke at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate Saturday, becoming the first member of the Alabama women's program to win individual gold at the FINA World Championships.
In front of the field after the first 50 meters, White relinquished the lead to Canada's Kylie Masse over the next 100-meters before roaring back over the final 50 to win the race by nearly a half second, stopping the clock with a 2:01.58 to Masse's 2:02.07. It was the Herriman, Utah, native's second medal of the championships after taking silver with Team USA in the 200-meter medley relay.
In other Crimson Tide action on day three of the championships, Diana Petkova (Bulgaria) posted her third top-25 finish in as many days and advanced to her first semifinal. She was fifth after the prelims of the 100-meter individual medley with a time of 59.19, before taking 15th in the semifinals after posting a 59.58.
Associate Head Coach Ozzie Quevedo (Team USA World Championships Assistant Coach)
"What an amazing race by Rhyan. After a huge summer winning the 200 backstroke at the (United States) Olympic Trials and then taking fourth in Tokyo, you could feel that she was on verge of taking the next step and making the podium. She raced smart today and was so tough over that last 50 meters to win the gold. We are so proud of her and everything she has accomplished, and we know this is just the beginning."
Crimson Tide Medals at the World Championships
- With the win, White becomes the first swimmer in Alabama history to win an individual gold medal at the World Championships
- Robin Backhaus, who transferred to Alabama prior to the 1977 season, won World Championship gold in the men's 200m butterfly in 1973, prior to his collegiate career, while Zane Waddell won the 50-meter backstroke at the 2019 World Championships prior to his senior season
- Jon Olsen was the last Crimson Tide swimmer to win multiple World Championships, earning relay gold in 1994 and 1998 with Team USA
- White is the first UA swimmer to earn an individual medal since Waddell won gold in the 50-meter backstroke and Kristian Gkolomeev took silver in the 50-meter freestyle in 2019
- White is also the first member of the UA women's team to earn an individual medal at the World Championships since Anne Poleska took silver in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2005
The Crimson Tide on Day Four of the World Championships
- Due to the time difference, Sunday's prelims are slated to get underway Saturday night at 11:30 p.m. CT, while finals get underway Sunday at 8 a.m.
- Kaique Alves could see action as part of Brazil's 800-meter freestyle relay contingent
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