Erika Fairweather Photo: World Aquatics
New Zealand swimmer Erika Fairweather has bounced back from her shock disqualification in the 400 metres freestyle to qualify third fastest for the women's 200m freestyle final at the World Championships.
Fairweather's 400m freestyle title defence was ruined by a false start in Sunday's heats but the 21-year-old had no trouble in the shorter distance.
She posted the fastest time in the 200 heats on day three of the world championships in Singapore on Tuesday.
In the semi-final, Fairweather finished third behind American Claire Weinstein (1:54.69) and Australian Mollie O'Callaghan, the Olympic champion (1:55.49).
Fairweather clocked a fast time of 1:55.52s, the fourth best time of her career and just 0.08s outside the New Zealand record which she set in April 2023.
Fairweather is a real medal chance later tonight. She won silver at last year's champs in Doha, but swam this semi faster in than she did in last year's final.
Like last year, there's no Ariarne Titmus, Summer McIntosh or Katy Ledecky in the event. Siobhan Haughey, who won last year, and also won Olympic bronze, is not competing this year either.
O'Callaghan and Weinstein did not compete at last year's worlds.
The only other New Zealand woman who has won a medal at a long course world champs is Lauren Boyle.
Lewis Clareburt contested the men's 200m butterfly as he began his World Championship campaign and qualified a spot in the semi-final.
The 26-year-old then set a new personal best in his semi-final, touching the wall in 1:55.24s. The time saw him narrowly miss out on the final, placing 10th overall.
"It's been three years since I clocked that personal best so I'm extremely happy," said Clareburt. "It obviously would have been great to get into that final but it gives me confidence moving forward."
Clareburt is back in the water in the 200m IM before Fairweather's final on Wednesday.
