Smith charged to a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke SB9.
The 19-year-old was the only New Zealand swimmer in action on the opening day of competition in Singapore.
Smith swam from lane three in the final and got away to a good start from the blocks to surface in fourth after the pullout.
Lisa Kruger (Netherlands) set the early pace through the opening lap to establish a lead, and Smith was outpaced over the first 50m to sit sixth at the halfway point.
The Christchurch swimmer then produced a brilliant finish, upping her tempo to move into third before flying home over the last 25m to touch the wall in second place.
Kruger (1min 15.71sec) won the gold medal with Smith producing a personal best (1min 19.56sec) for the silver and Elizaveta Sidorenko (neutral, 1min 20.27sec) the bronze.
It is the first medal Smith has achieved in her career at the pinnacle international level.
"I am really, really proud of that race," she said.
"It’s taken a lot to get here and it’s been a while since I’ve had a PB. My coach and I have been working really hard to get the pacing and technique right, so I’m very happy that I could put on a show for my team and family and friends and do the race right.
"I’m very excited for it to be my first world champs medal. It’s been a long time coming."
— Allied Media
