Kate Douglass: “Did not expect a world record in the 50 free like… ever in my life”

2026 Pro Swim Series – Indianapolis

Video captured by Anya Pelshaw.

Kate Douglass shocked just about everyone tonight: Swim fans, her competition, her coach, even herself. In the final of the women’s 50 free, she executed her race plan just about perfectly and touched at 23.59, breaking Sarah Sjostrom’s 3-year-old world record and 9-year strangle-hold on the title of fastest woman ever. After the race, KD expressed her shock, saying this isn’t something she ever planned on, let alone at a pro swim in Indianapolis.

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base_case()
36 minutes ago

Makes me wonder why she decided not to race the 50 in Paris even though I felt like she was pretty much a lock for the podium

AragonSonof Arathorn
1 hour ago

there isn’t anything she does that doesn’t surprise me anymore. Wouldn’t be surprised if she went 2:04 high in the 2 IM or 2:16.9 in 2 breast.

I miss the ISL (go dawgs)
1 hour ago

Kate’s got a New York vocabulary for sure I love it she cusses in every interview lol

MigBike
1 hour ago

Glad to know she broke a great WR the 50 is the best and toughest even in swimming AND the most enjoyable to watch for spectators!

Awsi Dooger
1 hour ago

Time to go back to Five Guys:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lwocz41N_I

Deeply Downvoted Darren
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
1 hour ago

Brilliant.

McIntosh-Marchand
1 hour ago

Simply stunning.

You take WR whenever and wherever you can because you never know if you’ll do it again.

Interestingly both Men’s and Women’s 50free are broken this year in a non major championship.

Deeply Downvoted Darren
Reply to  McIntosh-Marchand
1 hour ago

And from my readings, both very much think and do “outside the box”. They are leading a new wave.

Deeply Downvoted Darren
2 hours ago

1 length, not 1 lap. 😂

Summer Swim fan
Reply to  Deeply Downvoted Darren
2 hours ago

You should probably tell her that on her IG post when she makes it

McIntosh-Marchand
Reply to  Deeply Downvoted Darren
1 hour ago

Obtuse

Deeply Downvoted Darren
2 hours ago

SHE SAID SHYT!!!

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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