Laurent Estrada

Havana, Dec 10 (JIT) - Cuban Laurent Estrada set a national record in the 100m backstroke by setting 1:00.74 minutes during the opening of the World Short Course Swimming Championships of Budapest 2024, in Hungary.

The previous record in the 25-meter pool was 1:01.25 and belonged to her compatriot Andrea Becali, set in 2021 in the 15th edition of the world championship held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Laurent, 20, did not disappoint her coach Luisa María Mojarrieta, who before leaving for the Hungarian capital highlighted to JIT the progress her student had been showing given her potential and the firmness with which she fulfills each training, so she expected new goals.

Laurent, in her world debut, placed 39th among 63 contestants and will have her next commitment next Sunday, the closing date of this important competition.     

On the other hand, Becali, who since 2022 has been concentrating on the freestyle, will make her appearance this Wednesday in the hectometer and on the 15th in the 200 meters.

Laurent and Becali, along with Elisbet Gámez and Lorena González, were part of the winning relays in the 100 and 200-meter freestyle in the Central American and Caribbean Games of San Salvador 2023, with records for the event.

Meanwhile, in the Budapest World Championship, Havana's Vladimir Hernandez will compete in 400 and 800 meters on the 12th and 14th, in that order.