Lina KACHUSHITE

Lina Kačiušytė from Lithuania was the world’s best female breaststroke swimmer in the late 1970s. In 1979 she became the first female breaststroke swimmer to swim 200 metres under 2 minutes 30 seconds, when she swam her third world record of 2:28.36. That world record stood more that six years, before it was beaten by East-German Silke Hörner in 1985. Kačiušytė’s first two world records were also set in the 200 breaststroke, when she won the 1978 World title, clocking first 2:33.11 in the prelims and, later that day, recording 2:31.42 in the final. During her career Kačiušytė won two major titles, her 1978 World title and the 1980 Olympic 200 breaststroke, and she was the 1981 Universiade 200 breaststroke champion. Domestically, Kačiušytė won one Soviet title in the 1979 200 breast and two silver medals (1978 200 breast, 1979 100 breast) and one bronze (1978 100 breast). After finishing her sporting career, Kačiušytė worked from 1984-91 as a swimming coach with Žalgaris Vilnius. From 1998-2008 she worked as a consultant in sports matters with the Vilnius city council and, in 2011, became President of the Lithuanian Olympians Association.

Personal Bests: 100 m breaststroke – 1:10.68 (1979); 200 m breaststroke – 2:28.36 (1979).