BUDAPEST, Hungary—Italy’s Thomas Ceccon set a world record in the men’s 100 backstroke and Katie Ledecky claimed yet another gold at the swimming world championships on Monday.
Ceccon stunned the competition in Budapest by clocking 51.60 seconds to shave 0.15 seconds off the previous best mark set by American Ryan Murphy at the 2016 Olympics.
“Yesterday I swam 52.1, very easy,” Ceccon said. “I am feeling good in water and just doing my race, staying calm and focusing on my race. And that’s it.”
(L–R) Silver medalist Ryan Murphy of the United States, gold medalist Thomas Ceccon of Italy, and Hunter Armstrong of the United States, pose with their medals after the Men 100m Backstroke final at the 19th FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on June 20, 2022. (Petr David Josek/AP Photo)
Murphy finished second, 0.37 seconds behind, followed by compatriot Hunter Armstrong, 0.38 behind Ceccon….