The Fastest Back-Half Splits Of All-Time In The Men’s 100 Butterfly

During the third and final stop of the 2021 Mare Nostrum Tour in Barcelona, Hungarian Kristof Milak won the men’s 100 butterfly with a time of 50.95. And, once again, he registered a sub-27-second back-half split – 26.71.

Watching the race, I wondered if it is one of the fastest back-half splits in history, since it was really impressive how he managed to increase his lead during the second 50.

It’s not easy an easy thing coming home sub-27. Few swimmers have done it. Instagram’s Swimming Stats page has published the fastest back-half splits in history of the event. With his 26.71, Milak falls just short of entering the list. But, he actually does appear on it, with two swims from this year’s European Championships. Among the active swimmers, he has the fastest second 50, a 26.49 in Budapest two weeks ago.

But the one who dominates the list is Michael Phelps. Which is not a surprise, since everybody remembers his victories in the 2008 Olympics and 2009 World Championships coming from behind in amazing displays of power at the end of the 100 fly. In fact, these two performances are among the fastest back-halves ever, but they are not the fastest ones.

The fastest back-half split ever was registered in 2009, during the Quebec Cup in Canada. Phelps split 26.34 coming home. He also has the fastest second 50-meter in a textile suit, with a 26.35 during the 2015 USA Nationals.

The #3 split on the list is really impressive. It was registered during the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona. Swimming in the second semi-final, he was 8th at the turn in 25.11. He came home with a 26.36 to break the existing world record with a 51.47 – a difference of only 1.2 second between the splits. It’s been almost 18 years, and this is still one of the fastest back-half splits ever.

The first swimmer not named Michael Phelps to appear on this list is Kristof Milak, and that’s why he is one of the main contenders for the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo next month.

But, obviously the world record holder could not be left out of this list. And it is really impressive that Caeleb Dressel usually is the fastest swimmer in the first 50 meters, and also has a very strong second 50. He manages to come home under 27-seconds frequently during the biggest meets. When he set the world record of 49.50 during the 2019 World Championships, he was the only swimmer to crack the 23-second in the first 50 (22.83) and managed to split a very strong 26.67 on the second 50 – in fact, he was the fastest man in the first 50 meters AND in the second 50 in that race. Which shows that he is not only an amazing sprinter, but he also has great endurance. Working hard with coach Gregg Troy over the years is really paying off.

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ThatGuy
3 years ago

Wait!!! I can’t believe MA didn’t make that list! 🗑

riccardo
3 years ago

well, anyways to win the race at the Olympics it will take a 49″3-49″4 and I dont see Milak on that split althought his back-half

Michael Mooney
3 years ago

Whoever wins it may take a 49.3 or better to secure Gold… Dressel Milak and Minakov.

Blackflag82
3 years ago

Some observations from these comments:

1) Milak was anywhere from untapered to half-tapered for Euros…I find this suspect. He was likely tapered, but maybe missing some of the fine tuning that’ll be there for the Olympics. Euros is a big meet with more than enough time to reset training and rest again for the Olympics, and the confidence boost from a fast time at that point is paramount imo. Will he drop some time at the Olympics, probably…I see him putting up a 49.7/49.8 in the semis and 50.0+ in the finals.

2) It seems a lot of people are forgetting that on Dressel’s WR swim, a lot of viewers saw some obvious spots of improvement that could have brought… Read more »

Greg
Reply to  Blackflag82
3 years ago

I couldn’t agree with you more

Greg
3 years ago

I actually think this is going to be Dressels best olympics whereas for Milak that might come in 2024; anyway I expect Dressel to break the wr by a couple of tenths or so which is out of reach for Milak this summer: he’d have to be out at 23 low n come back with probably the strongest back half split ever to win and I really cant see that happen.

Outside Smoke
3 years ago

As a neutral Canadian, I find it hilarious that all the comments assume Milak still has all this room to grow in a few months time, whereas Dressel has peaked will not swim a personal best.

It’s not going to matter if the stars align and Milak swims the race of his life to go 49.4 if Dressel improves by more than a tenth of a second.

Anonymoose
Reply to  Outside Smoke
3 years ago

its not unreasonable to assume milak was unrested for euros where he went 50.1
he could drop a full second, that is not that far fetched. surprising it would be, yes, but not impossible

PVSFree
3 years ago

How long before someone has a sub 26 back half split? 5 years or less?

MR FLY
3 years ago

Who has a better chance of beating Dressel? Milak in the 100 fly or Chalmers in the 100 free?

Max Hardie
Reply to  MR FLY
3 years ago

In my opinion Chalmers is the favorite in 100 free. Dressel is still the favorite in 100 fly, but Milak will be very close and is a real threat.

Pvdh
Reply to  Max Hardie
3 years ago

Get ready for more Aussie disappointment

Pvdh
Reply to  MR FLY
3 years ago

He’s gonna stomp them both.

Admin
Reply to  MR FLY
3 years ago

As of now I’d say Milak in the 100 fly. Milak just seems like he’s on a freight train down a hill right now and someone cut the brakes.

Casas 100 back gold in Tokyo
Reply to  MR FLY
3 years ago

Milak apparently has stronger momentum than Kyle right now.