2025 World Championships
- July 27 – August 3, 2025 (pool swimming)
- Singapore, Singapore
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MEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE – PRELIMS
- World Record: 51.60 – Thomas Ceccon, ITA (2022)
- World Junior Record: 52.08 – Miron Lifintsev, RUS (2024)
- Championship Record: 51.60 – Thomas Ceccon, ITA (2022)
- 2023 World Champion: Ryan Murphy, USA – 52.22
- 2024 Olympic Champion: Thomas Ceccon, ITA – 52.00
TOP 16 QUALIFIERS:
- Yohann Ndoye-Brouard (FRA) – 52.30
- Kliment Kolesnikov (NAB) – 52.57
- Hubert Kos (HUN) – 52.60
- Apostolos Christou (GRE) – 52.61
- Christian Bacico (ITA) – 52.72
- Miron Lifintsev (NAB) – 52.77
- Pieter Coetze (RSA) – 52.80
- Ksawery Masiuk (POL) – 52.82
- Oliver Morgan (GBR) – 52.93
- Mewen Tomac (FRA) – 53.07
- Evangelos Makrygiannis (GRE) – 53.29
- Miroslav Knedla (CZE) – 53.59
- Thomas Ceccon (ITA) – 53.65
- Xu Jiayu (CHN) – 53.73
- Ulises Saravia (ARG) – 53.74
- Adam Jaszo (HUN) – 53.78
The US men did not advance to semifinals of the 100 backstroke, marking the first time since 1908 that the US did not advance in the event at a Long Course World Championships or at an Olympic Games.
In his World Championship debut, Tommy Janton of the US just missed semifinals finishing 18th in a 53.87. It took a 53.78 to earn a swim for tonight.
Jack Aikins was the other swimmer for the US as he finished 44th in a 56.54. The broadcast mentioned Aikins being one of the swimmers affected by gastroenteritis.
Backstroke has been at the core of US men’s dominance in the 21st century, especially in the 200 backstroke. Last summer, the US men missed the Olympic podium in the 200 backstroke for the first time since 1992.
Notably not in attendance at 2025 Worlds are Ryan Murphy and Hunter Armstrong. The two did not compete at US Summer Nationals last month. Murphy and Armstrong swam the 100 backstroke for the US at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with Armstrong finishing 11th and Murphy winning bronze. The two stood on the podium together at the 2023 World Championships as Murphy won gold and Armstrong won bronze.
The US men at the 2025 World University Games earlier this month in Germany swam faster than Janton and Aikins did this morning. Will Modglin swam to silver in Berlin with a 52.54 while Daniel Diehl swam to a 52.94 for bronze. Those swims marked the top two times from the US men in the event this season.
Although Modglin and Diehl were faster in Berlin, the two finished behind Janton and Aikins at US Summer Nationals. Janton won the US National Title in a 53.00 while Aikins was 2nd (53.19), Diehl was 3rd (53.35), and Modglin was 5th (53.83). Keaton Jones was 4th in the event at US Summer Nationals with a 53.79 and is swimming the 200 backstroke at the 2025 World Championships.
US Rankings, Men’s 100 LCM Backstroke, 2024-2025
| Rank | Swimmer | Time | Age |
| 1 | Will Modglin | 52.54 | 21 |
| 2 | Daniel Diehl | 52.94 | 19 |
| 3 | Tommy Janton | 53.00 | 21 |
| 4 | Jack Aikins | 53.19 | 22 |
| 5 | Shaine Casas | 53.54 | 25 |
| 6 | Hudson Williams | 53.62 | 20 |
| 7 | Keaton Jones | 53.79 | 20 |
| 8 | David King | 53.84 | 19 |
| 9 | Jack Wilkening | 53.87 | 20 |
| 10 | Destin Lasco | 54.03 | 23 |
Is there a reason roster is capped at that number or in the future could they allow more depth? Increase your chances of healthy swimmers and subs maybe with more of them? Just a thought.
I think just to keep the U.S. from overwhelming everyone with numbers.
Correction, All of the American swimmers were affected some worse than others: even an international commentator noticed that result of food poisoning towards the conclusion of the practice: and British swimmers were affected also and that was reported internationally: so the men really were more affected than the women: but the fact; they were affected: it was reported ten swimmers that were mostly affected than the OTHERS so give them a break!!!
They tried Luca, Ryan, Aiken and Janton, Rose and Andrew – all affected by the POISON and that matter: even the one who was the anchor of the relay tried but was getting tired unexpectedly; and that included some of the women’s performance like Simone, Kate, Torri,… Read more »
I’m not sure this was a useful article. Some truths may be best left unsaid, even if they generate interest. Swimswam is established enough now to not pander to those incentives
Medley relay is beyond cooked. Ndoye Nbrouad and Grousset look amazing, Qin and Prigoda have thrown 58s.. Casas didnt look specially well in his leadoff so I dont expect a 52 from him
This sounds harsh even as I write it, but why on earth are some of these swimmers trying to race when they’re clearly still unwell? What did aikens achieve by getting in the water today? I know I’m not the first to say this but it feels irresponsible to the other athletes to be allowing them to get in/compete/be sick around other so far healthy athletes. It’s not fair that this has happened to team USA, but it’s really not good to expose everyone else to it.
Absolutely. It’s irresponsible. Just scratch and come back when healthy again.
I think a lot of the impacted swimmers are feeling better to some degree and if medically cleared to swim they should be allowed if they and the team agree. The swimmer and coaches need to establish a baseline of how well they’re doing and potential for the next event. And in aikens case it could also be a comparison between him and janton for the relay spot.
If a swimmer is sick, are they allowed to substitute someone into the events of the sick person?
Only for relay purposes, not individual events. For example, the US can use Casas in the 100m back for the medley relay. Correct me if I’m wrong, if you made the team as a relay only swimmer, these swimmers need to at least swim heats. I believe this is a rule change that came about around Tokyo Olympics. It was to make sure all swimmers got the experience of swimming in a big event.
Roster deadline is June 17. In case of injury or illness thereafter, a person can be added based on medical certificate until the sport entry deadline.
Sport entry deadline was July 3, 2025.
While no medical exceptions are allowed after the sport entry deadline (per the rule cited above), emdical exceptions are still allowed after the sport entry deadline! (per another rule cited in the summons). But a medical report must be sent, and it sounds like maybe it gets extra scrutiny. And also you can make non-medical changes but just pay a $500 fine! So the entry deadline doesn’t seem to be that meaningful in practice.
So, I don’t know. There’s never been changes this late in the game,… Read more »
Good point Braden…this entry list deadline seems way too early..should be allow led alternates
Aikins was literally in the hospital. Brave swim.
He shouldn’t have started in the first place. What’s this nonsense?
That American athlete at the Universiade, 52.54—what place did he get at the national trials?
Will Modglin, and he was 5th at trials in 53.83