Kliment Kolesnikov Again Lowers 50 Back World Record With Blistering 23.80

2021 LEN EUROPEAN AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Just 24 hours after lowering the long course 50 backstroke world record to a 23.93, Kliment Kolesnikov improved by another 0.13 seconds to win the European Championships final with a 23.80.

That gives Kolesnikov, once again, the new Russian, World, and Championship record in the event.

Kolesnikov lead the men’s 50 backstroke field the entire way through, first establishing a 24.23 to win the heats, followed by a 23.93 WR in the semi-final, capped off by a 23.80 to nab gold for Russia. With that swim, Kolesnikov now holds the 3 fastest performances in the event as well as 4 out of the top 6 performances in history.

Top 5 Men’s LCM 50 Backstroke Performances:

  1. 23.80 – Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) 2021
  2. 23.93 – Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) 2021
  3. 24.00 – Kliment Kolesnikov 2018
  4. 24.04 – Liam Tancock (GBR) 2009
  5. 24.07 – Camile Lacourt (FRA) 2010
  6. 24.08 – Kliment Kolesnikov Kolesnikov 2021

Kolesnikov was followed in the 50 backstroke final at this year’s European Championships by Romanian record holder Robert Glinta who swam a 24.42 for silver which was just a bit over his NR in the event of 24.12 from 2018. Hugo Gonzalez followed for Spain, hitting a 24.47 Spanish record for bronze. That swim for Gonzalez was just 0.01 seconds under the previous mark of 24.48 that Aschwin Wildeboer set at the 2009 World Championships.

2021 European Swimming Championships Men’s 50 Backstroke Final

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swimfast
3 years ago

What are the odds he breaks the WR in the 100 fr tomorrow?

Dudeman
Reply to  swimfast
3 years ago

I think he’ll be 47-low again, maybe right around his 47.2 from trials or slightly faster (like 47.15 ish)

john26
Reply to  swimfast
3 years ago

Wonder when the last time a backstroker owned the 100free WR. I assume if he breaks the 100free record, the 100back WR will also go this week.

I like that the 100free has consistently stayed just narrowly beyond the finger tip of what’s been possible for the best textile swimmers this past decade.

swimfast
Reply to  john26
3 years ago

True. Interesting that in Tokyo the 100 free may be a showdown between the best 100 backstroker ever vs. the best 100 butterflyer ever

Anfrizio
Reply to  john26
3 years ago

This only happened in women’s 100bk/fr, with Kornelia Ender. As a WR holder in 100fr, she broke the WR in 100bk (1’01″62, 6/3/76).

Deepblue
3 years ago

If Rowdy was commenting, you’d have thought Kolesnikov would get dead last based on his reaction time.

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  Deepblue
3 years ago

LOL!

SnakeEyes
3 years ago
Times Be Crazy
3 years ago

I can’t wait for the rematch between him and Rylov. Rylov has been 51.97 before on a mixed relay lead off, and while he triumphed over Kolesnikov last time, Kliment only seems to be in better shape than he was for that 52.24.

Russia may sweep the backstrokes in Tokyo. Rylov has owned the 200 back for the last couple of years, and with his recent European record in the event this year it doesn’t seem like he’s going to let go of that grasp. He’s far and away the man to beat there. On the other hand, the 100 back field is loaded. You’re going to have the WR and defending Olympic champion Murphy, the 2 time world… Read more »

sven
Reply to  Times Be Crazy
3 years ago

Yeah, we’ll see what happens but I would be very surprised if the US wins either backstroke race at this point. There were doubters in 2016 but that was based more off of a poor US showing at 2015 WCs… This year doubts seem more focused on how absurdly deep the competition is.

That said, Magnusson looked untouchable in 2012, so being fast in the spring doesn’t guarantee anything. The backstrokes will be very interesting races this summer.

Last edited 3 years ago by sven
tnp101
3 years ago

KK had the slowest reaction time too 0.69. The fastest belongs to Ferguson 0.47. KK could have improved his WR by even lower if he could improve his RT.

There's no doubt that he's tightening up
Reply to  tnp101
3 years ago

Hi Rowdy

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  tnp101
3 years ago

Not necessarily. I mean of course if his reaction time improved he’d be faster. But, his start is with head close to the block and then recoil — that takes time, especially at 6 foot 6 inches. But he whips his heat and arms over so much it’s almost like a slingshot track start. He’s sacrificing RT for entry speed, and obviously it works. Dressel doesn’t have otherworldly reaction time and we all know about his start.

MICHAEL
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
3 years ago

The start ends when the swimmer comes up from the breakout, not off the blocks. That’s what my coach always told me!

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  tnp101
3 years ago

His stroke turnover rate is absolutely amazing & he really maintains his feel for the water, obviously! He is only going to get better too.

Last edited 3 years ago by Coach Mike 1952
MJK
3 years ago

shaving that much off a 50 is insane.

ooo
3 years ago

Hope he keeps the best for Tokyo and doesn’t do a Cseh 2016

Khachaturian
3 years ago

BRUHHHHHHHHH