Nicholas Santos retired from professional swimming nearly three years ago, but that does not mean he has stopped breaking records. Santos, who won the 50-meter butterfly at the 2022 Short Course World Championships at 42 to become the oldest World Championship medalist in history, just broke the men’s 45-49 masters’ world record in the long course event.
Santos, 45, ripped a time of 23.15 to win the 74th Brazilian Masters Championships in Fortaleza over the weekend. His time overtakes his own previous record of 23.26, which he produced to win the Brazilian Masters Championships in May. Prior to setting his initial record, the mark stood at 24.96, swum by South Africa’s Marc Kevin Allan in 2024.
Though it’s still very early in the 2025–26 season, Santos’ time currently sits second in the world rankings, just behind Japan’s Kaito Masaki (23.07). Notably, it took 22.91 to make the final at last summer’s World Championships, leaving him just over two tenths shy of that cutoff with limited training.
Santos has stayed in shape with three weekly swim sessions and a “controlled fitness and bodybuilding program,” BestSwimming confirmed in May.
A Brazilian Olympian, Santos enjoyed a decorated international career. He first participated in a World Championships in 2001; over his two decades of racing, he earned four long-course World Championship medals (three silver, one bronze) all in the 50-meter butterfly. He earned the last of those medals at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest, claiming his third silver medal. Santos was even more successful at the short-course World Championships, earning 12 medals—including six gold—between 2004 and 2022.
Santos was a sprint freestyle and butterfly specialist and though he did race the 100 freestyle as part of Brazil’s relays, he shined brightest in the 50 freestyle and 50 butterfly. He is a former world record holder in the short-course 50 butterfly (21.75) and still holds the South American record in that event and the long-course edition (22.60). There’s been much talk about whether the recent introduction of the 50s of stroke to the LA 2028 Olympic schedule will extend the careers of some of the sport’s current veterans. But, the change could also bring a recently retired sprint specialist like Santos back to the sport.
This is Santos’ third long course masters’ world record. He first swam 23.72 in the 50 fly in August 2024, establishing a new standard in the men’s 40-44 age group before he aged up this February.
This is one of the most remarkable swims of this decade. Going 25 at 45 is fast
23.1 is 🔥
If Yu Zidi swims until she’s Santos current age, she will retire in 2058.
Also: I’ve heard that Santos cannot pee in the pool because swimmers were getting electrocuted.
That’s a craaaaaazy stat.
Does anyone else find it troubling that Alex Pussieldi is referenced in this article?
This is faster than what Josh Liendo went in Singapore btw
Edit: Actually that was heats. Liendo went .04 faster than Santos in Semifinals, leaving the 45-Year Old with a measly 15th place finish. Maybe it’s time to hang up the goggles bro.
Let’s go LA28 oldest swimming ahtlete ever
What an amazing feat! This record is just another feather in his illustrious hat! You might even say it “enhanced” his career.
I see what you did there.
We need a Santos interview! I would love to ask him how he stays mentally happy and strong for so long into his life and swimming career. We’ve seen a handful of top level swimmers leave swimming over the years due to mental health reasons. I understand everyone is different and has their own situation to deal with, but it would be nice to hear how Santos has been able to stay positive. It might help others!
Could become the greatest masters swimmer oat!
I would argue Dara Torres is the greatest masters swimmer of all time, but 23.15 is beastly!