Kaylee McKeown sets new women's 100m back world record at Australian Olympic trials

Kaylee McKeown booked her spot on the Australian swimming team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in style by setting a new world record in the women's 100m backstroke at the Australian Olympic Trials in Adelaide.

The 19-year-old, whose father passed away 10 months ago, was overcome with emotion after touching home in 57.45 seconds, 0.12s faster than American Regan Smith's mark set at the 2019 World Championships.

It will be McKeown's first Olympic Games. "It's been a huge year for me and my family, it's been 10 months since my dad passed today, so with that behind me and doing that tonight, I think he'd be really proud," she said in her post-race interview.

Emily Seebohm finished second in 58.59 to qualify for her fourth Olympic Games, just the second Australian swimmer to accomplish that feat.

Mitch Larkin, the Rio 2016 silver medallist in 200m backstroke, won a tight men's 100m backstroke final in 53.40 – the Olympic qualifying time – to make his third Olympic team.

Larkin looked to be pushing the world record for a while but faded at the end and just managed to achieve the qualifying standard.

World women's 400m freestyle champion Ariarne Titmus took 1.8 seconds off her personal best as she came close to breaking Katie Ledecky's world record.

Titmus came home in 3:56.90, a new Commonwealth Record and just 0.54 seconds off the world record.

"It's been a long time coming and I didn't really know what this would mean until it happened," Titmus said emotionally after her race when told she was now an Olympian.

"I was a bit shocked, honestly. I didn't think I'd go that quick so I'm happy to get the job done and it gives me good confidence to go to Tokyo." Tamsin Cook took the second spot in the event.

Kyle Chalmers, the Olympic 100m freestyle champion in 2016, confirmed his spot in the 200m free by winning in 1:45.48, a personal best, from Elijah Winnington.

Chalmers, swimming in his home pool in Adelaide, found a way past Winnington in the last 25 metres or so.

"I knew I had plenty to give tonight, I love racing, and especially in front of a home crowd," he said. "Six months ago I had shoulder surgery, so to be back swimming, and to be back swimming a PB tonight, it's just really good for my confidence moving forward."

However, there was disappointment for Mack Horton, the Rio 2016 400m freestyle champion. Having missed the team in the 400m, he also failed to qualify in the 200m finishing sixth and will now be relying on a discretionary coaches' selection for the relay, while he has another shot at the 800m on Monday.

Other swimmers to book their Tokyo 2020 spots were Chelsea Hodges and Jessica Hansen in the women's 100m breaststroke.