Masse becomes most decorated Canadian with bronze at short-course championships

By Canadian Press

Published: December 13, 2024 at 8:03 PM

From the left, second-placed Katharine Berkoff, first-placed Regan Smith, and third-placed Canada's Kylie Masse stand on the podium after the 50-meter backstroke final at the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)(AP Photo/Denes Erdos)

Kylie Masse became Canada's most decorated swimmer at the world championships after winning a short-course bronze medal on Friday.

Masse touched the wall in 25.78 seconds to finish third in the women's 50-metre backstroke.

Americans Regan Smith, who set a world record (25.23), and Katharine Berkoff (25.61) took gold and silver, while Calgary's Ingrid Wilm placed just off the podium in fourth.

Masse, a 28-year-old swimmer from Lasalle, Ont., now has 20 medals combined at long and short-course worlds.

Earlier Friday, Canada won mixed relay silver in the 4x50 freestyle, giving Canada its fourth straight multi-medal day at the event.

The mixed relay team of Ilya Kharun, Yuri Kisil, Ingrid Wilm and Marie-Sophie Harvey finished second in one minute 28.60 seconds. Italy captured gold (1:28.50) and Poland took bronze (1:28.80).