World Aquatics Championships 2023: Ruta Meilutyte storms to women's 100m breaststroke crown

The London 2012 Olympic champion from Lithuania defeats Tatjana Schoenmaker and Lydia Jacoby for the gold in Fukuoka.

2 minBy Shintaro Kano
From left, Tatjana Schoenmaker, Ruta Meilutyte and Lydia Jacoby during the medal ceremony for the women's 100 m breaststroke.

(2023 Getty Images)

Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania went wire-to-wire to win the women's 100-metre breaststroke in 1:05.09 at the World Aquatics Championships 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan, on Tuesday (25 July).

Taking second was Tatjana Schoenmaker (1:05.53) with the race's Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Lydia Jacoby touching third (1:06.29).

"Just thanks to my mum and dad. I'm really grateful and fully enjoying it and counting my blessings," said Meilutyte, the London 2012 gold medallist in the race.

Meilutyte, 26, last won at the worlds 10 years ago - in Barcelona, where she set a then world record of 1:04.35 in the semi-finals.

She only returned from a two-year suspension in 2021 and won bronze in the race at the worlds in Budapest last year.

“Well it’s been a decade so it’s quite a lot,” she said. “But I definitely matured in many different ways. I’m definitely more relaxed and the whole approach is different from training to the swimming.

“I’ve really been taking it one step a time. The main thing is to be in the moment and enjoy it.”

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