Seebohm clocks another sub-59sec to win 100m backstroke
She goes sub-59sec in 100m backstroke again; teammate Cate Campbell also shines
She was disappointed when the organisers of the Fina Swimming World Cup Singapore had to cancel the Saturday evening's finals due to the haze.
Australia's Emily Seebohm was slated to swim in the women's 50m backstroke, and the highly anticipated 100m backstroke showdown between herself, Hungary's Katinka Hosszu and American Missy Franklin.
Perhaps it was no surprise that they let it all out in the pool yesterday when the 23-year-old clocked 58.72 seconds to win the women's 100m backstroke at the OCBC Aquatic Centre.
Hosszu, 26, finished second (1min 0.07sec) while Franklin, 20, was third (1:00.73).
Seebohm's time last night was her 10th sub-59 second swim in the event this year, and is the third fastest time of the year.
She also owns the two other fastest times - 58.26 at August's Fina World Championships in Kazan, and 58.59 at the World Cup leg in Beijing last week.
"I am really happy. I think it would have been a little bit different if I raced last night, but it's something that was out of my control," said Seebohm, after her race.
"I am just happy to go sub-59 because that's what I wanted to do. This is the third meet in the Asian leg of the World Cup, it's starting to take its toll on me a bit.
"I am pretty tired and sore, but happy to finish off (the Asian leg) with a good one."
The Australian, who won the women's 100m and 200m backstroke titles in Kazan, said that the results would be a confidence booster as she works towards winning her first individual Olympic gold medal next year in Rio.
"This is not going to determine what happens next year but it definitely helps in confidence levels and definitely helps with my training as well."
Teammate Cate Campbell also got a confidence boost last night, winning the women's 100m freestyle in 53.09, with younger sister Bronte second with 53.58.
It was 23-year-old Cate's third straight victory in the 100m race in the World Cup series, as she works her way back after undergoing surgery on her shoulder last year.
The 2013 world champion, who also won the event at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships and Commonwealth Games, has not been back to her best since going under the knife, with Bronte, 21, claiming both the 50m and 100m freestyle titles in Kazan.
After her race last night, Cate said: "I am still battling with my injury. I am getting cortisone injections in my neck when I get home.
"Hopefully by the time our Olympic trials come by I'll be 100 per cent. I am not quite there at the moment, but very pleased with my performances so far."
South African Cameron van der Burgh, who won the men's 100m breaststroke last night, was named the male winner of the World Cup's Asian cluster of Hong Kong, Beijing and Singapore, while Hosszu - winner of two gold, a silver and two bronze, last night - was the female winner.
Both received US$50,000 ($71,640) each for their feat.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now