VIDEO: Kristof Milak Swims Monster 1:52 in LCM 200 Fly; Moves To Third All-Time

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

18-year-old Hungarian Kristof Milak has been flying under the radar the last twelve months in the butterfly events. Now everyone should know his name as he swam a 1:52.71 in the 200 fly final at the Hungarian Nationals. That time is easily the fastest time in the world this year as it would have won the gold medal at the 2017 World Championships as well as the 2016 Olympics.

In fact, the time would have won gold at every major meet since Michael Phelps broke the World Record in the 2009 Worlds. Milak is now third all-time behind Phelps and fellow Hungarian Laszlo Cseh.

Michael Phelps, USA, 1:51.51 (2009)
Laszlo Cseh, HUN, 1:52.70 (2008)
Kristof Milak, HUN, 1:52.71 (2018)
Chad Le Clos, RSA, 1:52.96 (2012)
Takeshi Matsuda, JPN, 1:52.97 (2008)

Milak rose to attention when he won European Juniors in a 1:53 last summer in the 200 fly. He followed that up with a silver in the 100 fly in Budapest with a 50.62, which was good for a new World Junior Record.

To prove it wasn’t a fluke, Milak continued on to the World Junior Championships in Indianapolis where he won four gold medals. He swept the 100 and 200 fly finals, and also swam on Hungary’s winning 4×200 and 4×100 free relays.

His breakout year earned him Swimming World’s newcomer of the year for 2017 along with Chinese distance freestyler Li Bingjie.

Milak’s big taper meet for the summer figures to be the European Championships which are in Glasgow, August 3-12.

The Commonwealth Games are the first major meet of the summer which begin next week. Milak’s swim should put swimmers like Chad Le Clos and James Guy on notice as they prepare to swim in Australia next week at the Games.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

23 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Brett Davies

6 years ago

Wow

Ian Venter

6 years ago

Credence Pattinson what is going on, this is mad.

Ian Venter

6 years ago

Reply to Ian Venter

Seth de Swardt

6 years ago

Reply to Ian Venter

Ian Venter and he’s 18 boet?

Luka Dodlek

6 years ago

Kristijan Stunković ovaj je lud…

Lander Vladimir Lopez Villar

6 years ago

Unbelievable time, but 3rd all-time? What about Michael’s 1.52.09 from the 2007 World Championships and the 1.52.03 Olympic Record from the 2008 Olympics?