Andrii Govorov Shatters 50 Fly World Record In 22.27

2018 SETTE COLLI TROPHY

After stating that he was aiming for it after the prelims, Ukrainian Andrii Govorov unleashed a new world record in the men’s 50 fly at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome, clocking a time of 22.27. He crushes the previous standard, held by Spain’s Rafael Munoz, of 22.43.

That record by Munoz was one of the records that had remained standing from the super-suit era of 2009, when world records fell like bowling pins with the advancement of new technology in racing suits. They were later banned in 2010.

This isn’t a shocking performance, as Govorov was just one tenth off of Munoz’s record a few weeks ago on the Mare Nostrum Tour in 22.53. Prior to that swim, his best was a 22.69 from 2016.

He now owns three swims inside the all-time top-10:

Fastest Performances Ever
1 Andrii Govorov 22.27
2 Rafael Munoz 22.43
3 Rafael Munoz 22.45
4 Rafael Munoz 22.48
5 Rafael Munoz 22.49
6 Nicholas Santos 22.51
7 Andrii Govorov 22.53
8 Milorad Cavic 22.67
9 Rafael Munoz 22.68
10 Andrii Govorov 22.69
10 Milorad Cavic 22.69

Govorov beat reigning world champ Ben Proud head-to-head in the race, and there was speculation that Proud could give him a run after his 21.16 50 free, but he ultimately was 22.93, which does improve his season-best time.

Race video:

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Gorthaur
5 years ago

Fantastic! Even though as a Spaniard I will always cheer for my fellow countrymen, I’m glad to see a polyurethane suit record being beaten. Keep up the good work

Maelstrom
5 years ago

I heard Joseph Schooling did a 22.22 in practice.

DMacNCheez
Reply to  Maelstrom
5 years ago

50 fly too long for him

MaxT
5 years ago

WOW!! GREEEEEEEAT JOB!

CMSWIM
5 years ago

Sorry, can’t support a guy whose country is well known for its extensive doping – clean or unclean the doubts will always be there.

JimSwim
Reply to  CMSWIM
5 years ago

Ukranian doping?

Dudeman
Reply to  JimSwim
5 years ago

They speak russian so obviously they must be doping. It’s guilty until proven innocent nowadays for a lot of people which really puts a damper on great performances

Swimobserver
Reply to  Dudeman
5 years ago

In Ukraine, they speak Ukrainian,

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  JimSwim
5 years ago

Well, they did have two track stars and a rower banned last year, and the Ukranian coach of an Indian team was sacked for his athlete’s doping. Every country dopes, just most aren’t state-sponsored.

sven
Reply to  CMSWIM
5 years ago

“Clean or unclean the doubts will always be there.”

That should be your mentality regarding EVERY world class swimmer. I don’t think Caeleb Dressel is doping, but looking at the way he has dominated some of the best swimmers in the world this past year, it would be naive to assume he’s clean just because he’s from America. Top-tier swimmers around the world are doping to get the edge, but Katie Ledecky wins by 25m and is above suspicion? Her old coach says there’s nothing physiologically special about her (“remarkably unremarkable” were the exact words), but she dominates every other female in world because she works so much harder?

America absolutely runs the medal tables at worldwide events, but everyone… Read more »

Gator chomp
5 years ago

So the world record holder in the 50 fly took a breath??

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Gator chomp
5 years ago

For men, yes, for women, no.

bobo gigi
5 years ago

I told you the other day it was a 49-meter pool!

tammy touchpad error
5 years ago

Sarah’s WR is so much smoother. I think 21s is doable. Govorov, Proud, or Dressel all look to be the ones for now, but we may have to wait for the next generation for it.

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  tammy touchpad error
5 years ago

She also no-breathed it. Govorov didn’t.

Cheatin Vlad
5 years ago

Scratch 50 fly off the list for Dressel.

Swimming4silver
Reply to  Cheatin Vlad
5 years ago

its ok. 50 fly is not in the Olympics.

Cheatin Vlad
Reply to  Swimming4silver
5 years ago

Yeah, I don’t mean it in a disrespectful way. I’m sure Dressel could put up a good fight, but he’s a half second behind according to best times and he has so many potential events to swim that it may be better to direct his energy elsewhere.

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Cheatin Vlad
5 years ago

Frankly, would rather him train up to the 200 free and give a shot at that record.

samuel huntington
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
5 years ago

no chance he gets the 200 free record…Agnel swam a perfect race and was 1.1 seconds off…

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  samuel huntington
5 years ago

He was also what will soon be a second slower in the 100.

Togger
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
5 years ago

It’s a lot of endurance to have though for a guy who’s the world’s best 50 freestyler.

Since the millenium the very best 200 free swimmers have had a mid distance rather than sprinting background (Agnel and Thorpe in 400 free, Phelps in 200 fly and the IMs).

Dressel could turn that on its head, but I think the 200 free record is going to need a Dressel type talent right in the sweet spot of their range, not pushing its upper (or lower, like Ledecky) limits.

Unlike the 800, I do think they’ll be out there somewhere as an age grouper, but it’lol be a while yet.

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Togger
5 years ago

I don’t think we know yet what Dressel’s best distance is yet. No drop-dead sprinter can handle a 14 event schedule over three days and still drop a sub-40 100 yard free at the end of an NCAAs, or break an AR in the 200 IM unshaved, or train with Troy.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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