FINA World Championships Predictions: Men’s 50 Free

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The field for the men’s 50 free at the FINA World Championships will be missing some familiar names, including the reigning Olympic gold medalist and the reigning World Champion.

Olympic gold medalist Anthony Ervin won’t be in Budapest after he was sixth in the event at U.S. Nationals. World Champion and Olympic silver medalist Florent Manaudou is taking the year off from competition.

Rio Bronze medalist Nathan Adrian will be in the field, but his 100 free has been much stronger than his 50 so far this season, as he ranks only 10th in the world at 21.87.

Right now, the favorite looks like 22-year-old Brit Ben Proud, who has the top time in the world this year. The only man in the field with a major title to his credit? Cesar Cielo, the Brazilian 2008 Olympic gold medalist and 2009/2011/2013 World Champion, back after missing out on a spot in the Olympic Games last year.

Read below to see what Swimming World’s trio of experts think will happen in Budapest. David RiederJohn Lohn and Andy Ross will each offer their predictions for who will finish on the podium.

Men’s 50 Free

Current Records:

World Record: Cesar Cielo, BRA (2009) — 20.91
Championship Record: Cesar Cielo, BRA (2009) — 21.08
American Record: Nathan Adrian (2015) — 21.37

2015 World Champion: Florent Manaudou, FRA — 21.19
2016 Olympic Gold Medalist: Anthony Ervin, USA — 21.40
2017 World No. 1: Ben Proud, GBR — 21.32

Swimming World Predictions

David Rieder’s Picks:

Gold: Ben Proud, GBR
Silver: Caeleb Dressel, USA
Bronze: Vladimir Morozov, RUS

John Lohn’s Picks:

Gold: Caeleb Dressel, USA
Silver: Ben Proud, GBR
Bronze: Vladimir Morozov, RUS

Andy Ross’ Picks:

Gold: Ben Proud, GBR
Silver: Caeleb Dressel, USA
Bronze: Cameron McEvoy, AUS

Previous Events

Day One:

Day Two:

Day Three:

Day Four:

Day Five:

Day Six:

Day Seven:

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6 years ago

I think Vlad Morozov will get it this time. He has struggled a lot with this event in LCM, but after shifting his focus from 50/100 free, to only 50 free this time around, I think it may pay off for the LA-based Russian. His 21.8 effort in practice was impressive, just hoping he gets his taper right. Caeleb Dressel and Ben Proud will challenge him for the splash’n’dash-throne, though.

Shaheen Alghofari
6 years ago

Juicy one this…i say . Dressel morosov and proud Joe Stott Betsy Perry

Shaheen Alghofari
6 years ago

Cielo joint 3rd with proud

Betsy Perry
6 years ago

I hope it’s McEvoy 1st but I think he’s got a better chance in the 100, it’ll be Dressel or Proud in 50 imo.. no Ervin

Shaheen Alghofari
6 years ago

Morosov did a 21.8 in training other day though he s in with a shot

Joe Stott
6 years ago

Reverse of what you said

Shaheen Alghofari
6 years ago

Ok we will see all good predictions here except Betsy Perry thinking mcevoy is gonna win

Betsy Perry
6 years ago

No, as I said I don’t think he will win the 50. Proud or dressel

Shaheen Alghofari
6 years ago

Yes but you have to decide 1 . I think proud govorov morosov dressel Chad le clos could win but I decided on dressel

Betsy Perry
6 years ago

Proud, then dressel

Gonçalo Paquete
6 years ago

Bernardo Graça

Michał Balicki
6 years ago

Paweł Juraszek a czemu o tobie nie piszą????

Paweł Juraszek
6 years ago

Pizda jestem :/

Safaa Almayali
6 years ago

عمار موسى

عمار موسى
6 years ago
Reply to  Safaa Almayali

جميل

عمار موسى
6 years ago
Reply to  Safaa Almayali

نحله خروجه طاهر وشفاء للعالمين .

عمار موسى
6 years ago
Reply to  Safaa Almayali

حشره

Pete Fitzpatrick
6 years ago
Reply to  Safaa Almayali

I can

Pete Fitzpatrick
6 years ago
Reply to  Safaa Almayali

not wait!

Safaa Almayali
6 years ago

Hassnain Falih

Todd Griner
6 years ago

Dressel

Eugene Samoylenko
6 years ago

You never know in 50 free

Sander Paesalu
6 years ago

Piia Paula Tarvis

Piia Paula Tarvis
6 years ago
Reply to  Sander Paesalu
Pete Fitzpatrick
6 years ago

The battle between fast twitch and slow twitch fibers!

Arthur Camargo
Arthur Camargo
6 years ago

And Fratus? Nobody swam more times under 22 seconds this year. I think he have good chances.

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