Tajus Juska Becomes One of the Fastest 14-Year-Old 100 Freestylers Ever with 50.52

2023 EUROPEAN JUNIOR SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Lithuanian sprint freestyle sensation Tajus Juska was back at it during the European Junior Championships prelims on Saturday morning, firing off a 50.52 in the 100-meter freestyle to become one of the fastest 14-year-olds ever in the event.

Only Romanian world record holder David Popovici (49.82) and England’s Jacob Whittle (49.97) appear to have been faster than Juska at 14 years old. Notably, Juska is quicker than the current age group records in America (51.12, Thomas Heilman), Canada (51.05, Laon Kim), and Australia (50.86, Kyle Chalmers).

Juska dropped more than half a second off his previous Lithuanian age group record of 51.13 from last month. He’s also shaved more than three seconds off his lifetime best so far this calendar year.

Juska placed 6th in prelims before missing Sunday’s final with a 50.64 in the semifinals on Saturday night. During his morning swim, he was out in 24.10 and back in 26.42.

Again, at just 14 years old, Juska is within two seconds of the overall Lithuanian record in the 100 free, a 48.64 set by Simonas Bilis in 2016.

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Steve Nolan
1 year ago

And with that, he was gifted his first pair of shoes.

Last edited 1 year ago by Steve Nolan
Davide
1 year ago

A Chinese guy was sub 50 as well, I don’t remember the name

chip
Reply to  Davide
1 year ago

Zhang Xinchen (49.76).

About Riley Overend

Riley is an associate editor interested in the stories taking place outside of the pool just as much as the drama between the lane lines. A 2019 graduate of Boston College, he arrived at SwimSwam in April of 2022 after three years as a sports reporter and sports editor at newspapers …

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