DOHA, Qatar – Sydney Pickrem swam her way back on to the podium Friday as Canada continued its solid showing at the World Aquatics Championships.
Pickrem’s time of 2:22.94 in the women’s 200-m breaststroke was her fastest since 2019, when she also took bronze at the worlds in Gwangju, Korea. The 26-year-old built from fifth at the 50 to fourth at the halfway point, then moved into third heading into the final turn. Tes Schouten of the Netherlands took the gold in 2:19.81, followed by American Kate Douglass in 2:20.91.
“Every (medal) is so special in their own right. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten to really compete in 200 breast internationally and I’m starting to get back into that this year. Being back at 2:22, it’s been a while since I’ve been there,” Pickrem said.
Pickrem, who earned silver in the 200-m individual medley earlier in the meet, passed Brent Hayden with her sixth career medal at world long-course championships. She’s tied for eighth all-time among Canadians – seventh among women – with former teammate Kayla Sanchez.
“It means a lot. Back in Gwangju when Kylie (Masse) and I were getting up there those moments definitely feel special. And Brent and (his wife) Nadina have been so supportive. They message every single race, so to surpass him feels a little sweet,” Pickrem said.
Canada has six medals (one gold, one silver, four bronze) after six days of the eight-day championships at the Aspire Dome in Doha, Qatar.
Finals begin at 11 a.m. ET each day, with live streaming and extensive coverage on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem.
Earlier in the session Finlay Knox and Ingrid Wilm competed in semifinals a night after earning medals.
Knox, who won the men’s 200-m individual medley Thursday, finished 12th in the 100-m butterfly with a time of 52.07 in his semifinal.
“I’m obviously a little fatigued from all the racing so just need to get a little bit better at the recovery in between and learn for next time,” Knox said the 23-year-old Olympian from Okotoks, Alta., who trains at the High Performance Centre – Vancouver.
“It’s definitely one of my most intense meets so far. Every step of the way I’m trying to learn and if things go right, write that down, and if things go wrong, write that down. Obviously last night things went right, but tonight I was on the other end of that. So I’ll recover up and get ready for the next day.”
Wilm, who has earned bronze in the 50 and 100-m backstroke, followed up with a 13th-place finish in the 200 back with a time of 2:11.88.
“I’m very fortunate to have gotten two medals so far, so the fact that I was even able to make the semis tonight, I was just really proud of that feat. It’s the first time I’ve made semis for the 200 back, so steps to where I want to go,” said the 25-year-old, who trains at Calgary’s Cascade Swim Club.
Wilm is looking forward to the medley relay when the meet wraps up Sunday.
“I’m genuinely excited for that. I alays love relays and really want to see what I can do for the team. Not only with them supporting me in the stands – I could hear them like crazy tonight – but also supporting me right behind the blocks,” Wilm said.
More than 2,600 athletes representing 201 countries and the World Aquatics Refugee Team
are in Doha to compete in 75 medal events across six aquatic sports.
Live streaming and extensive coverage will run through Sunday on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem. See the full streaming and broadcast schedule here.
Fans can also follow along on Instagram and X through @CBCOlympics and @SwimmingCanada for highlights throughout the competition.