2018 SETTE COLLI TROPHY
- June 29-30 / July 1, 2018
- Rome, Italy
- Foro Italico
- LCM (50m)
- Race Program
- Psych Sheet
- Live Results
Anytime someone breaks one of the suited world records, it’s a big deal.
Back in 2008, suit technology saw advancements that led to a slew of world marks at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and with further improvements made in 2009, a historic 43 world records fell at the World Championships in Rome.
These suited world records have slowly but surely been falling by the wayside, and on Sunday another fell at the hand’s of Ukrainian Andrii Govorov.
The 26-year-old had come within a tenth of Rafael Munoz‘s standard in the 50 fly of 22.43 a few weeks ago, and finally erased the 9-year-old mark in a time of 22.27 at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome.
Despite the record falling, there are still 15 long course world records (out of 40 events) that stand from 2009, with two additional ones from 2008. Below, I’ll rank each of those records by likelihood of them falling anytime soon, with the most likely to go ranked at the top:
- Men’s 100 fly – 49.82 – Michael Phelps (USA)
- Men’s 50 free – 20.91 – Cesar Cielo (BRA)
- Men’s 100 free – 46.91 – Cesar Cielo (BRA)
- Women’s 800 free relay – 7:42.08 – China
- Women’s 50 back – 27.06 – Zhao Jing (CHN)
- Women’s 200 free – 1:52.98 – Federica Pellegrini (ITA)
- Men’s 400 medley relay – 3:27.28 – United States
- Men’s 400 IM – 4:03.84* – Michael Phelps (USA)
- Men’s 800 free relay – 6:58.55 – United States
- Men’s 50 back – 24.04 – Liam Tancock (GBR)
- Men’s 200 fly – 1:51.51 – Michael Phelps (USA)
- Men’s 200 back – 1:51.92 – Aaron Peirsol (USA)
- Men’s 400 free – 3:40.07 – Paul Biedermann (GER)
- Men’s 400 free relay – 3:08.24* – United States
- Men’s 200 free – 1:42.00 – Paul Biedermann (GER)
- Women’s 200 fly – 2:01.81 – Liu Zige (CHN)
- Men’s 800 free – 7:32.12 – Zhang Lin (CHN)
* set in 2008
It’s worth pointing out that the last three entries on the list – the men’s 200 free, women’s 200 fly and men’s 800 free – all are seemingly out of reach for the time being.
Since January 1st, 2010, only one man has come within two seconds of the 200 free record (the now retired Yannick Agnel), no one has been within two of the women’s 200 fly time, and Sun Yang is the only swimmer to come within 8 seconds of the men’s 800 free mark, finishing 6.45 off way back in 2011.
For the Men, I don’t ever see Kalisz breaking a WR. This is his prime and a.m. he’s still far off the 400 IM. Lochte/Phelps we’re masters at 3 strokes. Kalisz is a master of 2 of them.
400 free will go down sooner later.
200 free will be much tougher. At this point our best bet is probably Dressel. He’s the only world level swimmer with the base speed AND endurance base to challenge it. And even then I have my doubts.
800 men freestyle and 200 fly womens will need something insane to break. Ledecky level dominance to challenge those. Everything else is in play
I don’t see why Dressel going 1:41 seems more doable than Kalisz going 4:03. Kalisz has shown solid improvement every year and while he may not be a master at as many strokes, he’s mastered the IMs. He swims the 4IM just as well as Phelps and Lochte did at their primes. I think Kalisz gets the record in Tokyo and I don’t think anyone is going 1:41 for a while. Dressel could have a really good 2free, but I doubt 1:41.
WR in 400 IM should have been broken back in 2012 at London. Lochte was under WR pace after 350 meters. But he was so far ahead, on first day of a very important, long Meet, that he shut it down. This is not speculation. Video says it’s fact.
I’ve watched that race numerous times. He is slowing down the final 25 of the freestyle.
He swam an aggressive race. He opened a big lead in the backstroke and then continued to push on the breaststroke. He was getting tired on the final lap. He could have had a 4:04 without the gliding finish.
Which will go first? 7:32 in the 800 (56.5 / 100m) or 14:20 in the mile (57.33 / 100m)?
For comparison, Ledecky is 8:04 (60.5 / 100m) and 15:20 (61.33 / 100m).
Makes you realise how freaky Thorpe was in his day. 3.40.08 in 2002 still the second fastest ever for the 400m
And looking at his 1.44 flat 200m too…bettered only by Phelps (2007) then Biederman. Were supersuits being used at the 2007 World Champs?
MP was in a FS PRO if I recall right
I wouldn’t call Thorpe’s swims ‘textile’ by any means.
I don’t know how that women’s 200 fly record is ever going to get broken
The Men’s 800 is by far the toughest left IMO. It’s been almost 10 years and I bet it stays for at least 20 more. Basically someone will need to go two 3:46 flats back to back.. yikes.
You reaise the whole article doesn’t mention what event govorov broke the record in?
“The 26-year-old had come within a tenth of Rafael Munoz‘s standard in the 50 fly of 22.43 a few weeks ago, and finally erased the 9-year-old mark in a time of 22.27 at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome.”
Just want to point out one thing. The commentary about how tough Biedermann’s 200 AND 400 are should pay respect to one thing. He broke the 200 record by almost a second. He broke the 400 free record previously held by Thorpe by one, one-hundredth of a second. That Thorpe time was incredible in light of how we are now talking about the 3:40.07.