Ilya Kharun Shaves 0.07 Off Liendo’s Canadian Record With 49.93 100 Butterfly

2022 FINA WORLD CUP – INDIANAPOLIS

During the first night of racing at the Indianapolis World Cup stop, Ilya Kharun set a new Canadian record in the men’s 100 butterfly, hitting a 49.93. That swim brings the Canadian under 50 seconds for the first time, improving upon Josh Liendo‘s former mark of 50.00 from the 2021 World Championships.

That swim was also a new Canadian age group record for 17-year-old Kharun, beating the 15-17-year-old mark that Liendo held at a 51.48 from back in 2019.

This is Kharun’s first Canadian record as he is newly representing Canada internationally. A Canadian citizen, Kharun was originally named to the USA’s 2022 World Junior Championships team but was removed to due an issue with his citizenship. A few weeks later Kharun was named to Canada’s roster for the 2022 Short Course World Championships. He will make his Canadian national team debut at that meet in December in Melbourne.

This is Kharun’s first race during the 2022 World Cup series. He pulled off a second place finish here, touching just over a second after Chad le Clos who picked up his third gold medal in this event in as many competitions. Le Clos swam a 48.85 to top the podium and Marius Kusch of Germany was third in a 49.97.

Kharun shaved 0.07 seconds off Liendo’s record from last year by opening up with a 23.21 and closing with a 26.72. That first 50 split was a touch slower than Liendo’s 23.13 on the first 50, but Kharun came back faster than Liendo’s 26.87. Liendo swam that time during the heats at World Championships before finishing 14th overall in the semi-finals.

Splits Comparison

Kharun – 2022 Liendo – 2021
50 23.21 23.13
100 49.93 (26.72) 50.00 (26.87)

Kharun also raced the 100 IM on day 1, finishing 11th overall in the prelims with a 53.61. Kharun set to race another four races over the course of the weekend in the 200 IM, 200 butterfly, 400 IM, and the 50 butterfly.

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Teddy
1 year ago

Sweet pickup for Canada

Steve Nolan
1 year ago

This is Kharun’s first Canadian record as he is newly representing Canada internationally. A Canadian citizen, Kharun was originally named to the USA’s 2022 World Junior Championships team but was removed to due an issue with his citizenship. A few weeks later Kharun was named to Canada’s roster for the 2022 Short Course World Championships. He will make his Canadian national team debut at that meet in December in Melbourne.

Seeing this headline made me look up how recently that whole kerfuffle happened. I find it very funny that it’s basically, “welp, guess I’m Canadian now” and just starts breaking their records.

Klyn
Reply to  Steve Nolan
1 year ago

I’m still trying to wrap my head around how a 17 year old (and his parents) didn’t know his nationality, and I say this as a parent of children with different nationalities.

ecoach
Reply to  Klyn
1 year ago

Speaking as a Canadian with a US born swimmer son we didn’t bother to get his Canadian citizenship until it became apparent he was quick enough to make Canadian Trials. Our 2 Canadian born children got their US Citizenships when we moved to the US ( Mom’s American) to expedite the move So maybe it’s a case where the parents realized Kharun was fast enough and did the paperwork.

Klyn
Reply to  ecoach
1 year ago

That’s understandable in your situation, but with Kharun he was removed from the junior pan pac team because USA Swimming became aware that he wasn’t an American citizen. His age group record from December ’21 was also invalidated.

ecoach
Reply to  Klyn
1 year ago

Wasn’t American or became a Canadian citizen and decided to represent Canada so cannot represent US. You can be both American and Canadian as far as the government is concerned but you can’t represent 2 different countries simultaneously in swimming.

Klyn
Reply to  ecoach
1 year ago

I understand that as I have children with dual nationalities. According to Swimswam USA Swimming says he’s not an American citizen.

https://swimswam.com/ilya-kharun-removed-from-junior-pan-pacs-team-among-citizenship-confusion/

Last edited 1 year ago by Klyn
Hoffer>
1 year ago

He may be close to sub 45 in scy

Noah
1 year ago

Where does this compare to other 17 year olds of all time?

jeff
Reply to  Noah
1 year ago

WJR is at 49.53 from Li Zhuhao 2 months before turning 18

John
1 year ago

What’s this guys 100FR time? I imagine Canada’s men’s relay has a little more get up and go now with his addition.

Ggdhbb
Reply to  John
1 year ago

He wouldn’t be on it Canadian men have a strong top 6 guys

ScovaNotiaSwimmer
Reply to  Ggdhbb
1 year ago

That seems really premature to state with such certainty right now.

He’ll certainly be a boost to the medley relay, freeing up Liendo to do FR. Just need to get that elite breaststroker…

Ggdhbb
Reply to  ScovaNotiaSwimmer
1 year ago

On the medley relay sure but the post asked about his 100 free time… he goes 52

John
Reply to  Ggdhbb
1 year ago

I appreciate the vote of confidence but we definitely have room for this guy if he’s 48.anything in the long course 100FR which he could easily be.

Ggdhbb
Reply to  John
1 year ago

You should really do some research into his best times

John
Reply to  Ggdhbb
1 year ago

Appreciate the friendly call out – I’m Canadian, not to familiar with the USA time system. I actually asked about it in my original post and considering his age and his performance looks like he can add to our 4X1FR relay and maybe med based on future potential. Someone mentioned his pre ious best already so that answers that!