What World Records Are In Danger At World Championships? Caeleb Dressel and Kaylee McKeown on Hunt

caeleb-dressel-

Editorial content for the 2022 FINA World Championships coverage is sponsored by eo SwimBETTER. See full event coverage.
Swim faster... faster, with game-changing data insight into your technique. eolab.com #eoSwimBETTER

SW eo Logo - Black Text

What World Records Are In Danger At World Championships? Caeleb Dressel and Kaylee McKeown on Hunt

We’re less than a week away from the FINA World Championships in Budapest, and while some of the biggest names in the sport will be absent for a variety of reasons, plenty of speed will be on display inside the Duna Arena. With Caeleb Dressel, Kristof Milak, Katie Ledecky and Kaylee McKeown expected, how many individual world records will be set?

On the men’s side, the best bet might be Dressel in the 50-meter freestyle. The reigning Olympic champion in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly, the American star won the shortest of those events at the recent USA Swimming International Team Trials in 21.29, an impressive effort in what was still tuneup action. Dressel owns a career-best mark of 21.04 and has excelled in the Duna Arena before, which might be the site of the end of Cesar Cielo’s 2009 super-suited global standard of 20.91. Of course, Dressel might also make a run at the world record of 46.91 in the 100 freestyle, a standard also belonging to Cielo, and Dressel’s own 49.45 record in the 100 butterfly.

Another men’s record which could see its shelf life expire is Milak’s standard in the 200 butterfly, which sits at 1:50.73. Milak captured the Olympic title in the event in Tokyo last summer and has had sub-1:50 as a target. No one can touch the Hungarian in his prime event, so it will be the 22-year-old vs. the scoreboard.

In women’s competition, the record that seems in the greatest jeopardy is the 100 backstroke, where McKeown, the Olympic gold medalist, will clash with American Regan Smith. The race will also feature Canadian Kylie Masse, which means three world-record holders from the event will battle – as was the case in Tokyo. The record is currently owned by McKeown at 57.45.

After the 100 backstroke, the 400 individual medley is the best bet for a solo world record. Although the mark is held by Katinka Hosszu at 4:26.36, Canadian 15-year-old Summer McIntosh is a special talent and earlier this year popped a swim of 4:29.12. Given her rapid ascension and massive time drops, it is not unrealistic to believe McIntosh could threaten Hosszu’s mark – and etch the biggest accomplishment of her burgeoning career. One of the biggest obstacles, however, is the fact that the event will be held on the last day of the meet, as opposed to the men’s version of the event being contested on Day One.

So, which records do you see on borrowed time? Let us know in the comments.

Note: We’re looking at the Olympic-schedule events, so the 50-meter strokes were not considered.

 

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

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

8 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Jeff
Jeff
1 year ago

Didn’t Kathleen Baker hold the 100 back world record between Kylie and Regan?

shueib
shueib
1 year ago

that was broken in a relay swimoff by Smith at previous worlds i think, also Kylie wont be swimming at the worlds this year shes prioritized the Common Wealth games instead

Kim
Kim
1 year ago

Who says Milak can’t threaten Dressel in the 100 fly in his home pool, and the WR?

Mary
Mary
1 year ago
Reply to  Kim

Me. He won’t.

shueib
shueib
1 year ago
Reply to  Mary

agreed he does not look like hes got sufficient 100m sprint

Jack Powers-Young
Jack Powers-Young
1 year ago
Reply to  shueib

Although he was gaining on Caleb at the end of that 100 fly in Tokyo! Certainly can challenge for it.

Eadara
Eadara
1 year ago

Bold not to mention Hunter Armstrong and Zac Stubblety-Cook.

8
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x