James Guy Rips 1:43.80 Relay Split, Third-Fastest Ever

by Robert Gibbs 9

July 28th, 2017 International, News

2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

James Guy can swim butterfly pretty well, and he can rip off a blazing fast 4×200 free relay split when Great Britain needs him to, as well.  In tonight’s finals, Guy jumped into the water with the USA in the lead, but quickly made up the gap and anchored Great Britain to gold with a stunning 1:43.80.  That split is one of the fastest ever, putting him behind only Sun Yang and Yannick Agnel (not counting lead-off times).

Obviously these are not official, but based on our research, here’s the five fastest 4×200 relay splits ever:

Sun Yang – 1:43.16 – Barcelona, 2013
Yannick Angel – 1:43.24 – London, 2012
James Guy – 1:43.80 – Budapest, 2017
Michael Phelps – 1:44.05 – London, 2012
Filippo Magnini – 1:44.12 – Beijing, 2008

Tonight’s split by Guy was much faster than the 1:45.36 he swam while placing 5th in the individual event earlier this week, even taking into account the fact that he had a flying start tonight.  It also marks the second consecutive world championships where Great Britain relied on Guy’s anchor leg to secure the top spot on the podium in this event.

Guy will most likely swim fly for Great Britain’s 4×100 medley relay, where they will need another big split from him if they have any chance of running down the USA for another gold medal to cap off the meet.

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Little b
7 years ago

When Guy can develop his relay tines in his individual he will be the best at 200 for a long time

Dcrabbe6
7 years ago

Townley haas was 1:44.1 last summer

NotASwimmer
7 years ago

Will he upset Schooling for a medal in the 100 fly?

75M FREE
Reply to  NotASwimmer
7 years ago

I hope so! I would love to see this after that bummer M 200 free final for GBR.

Edvid
Reply to  NotASwimmer
7 years ago

Whatever happens, someone will likely go 50.xx and still end up fourth (not yet happened in textile kit).

Bo swims
7 years ago

?love it

monsterbasher
7 years ago

you’re missing phelps leadoff leg in the 2008 relay. 1:43 low. Then again It was a leadoff so i’m not sure if that counts as a split.

Edvid
Reply to  monsterbasher
7 years ago

Lead-offs are valid splits IMO as the regulation starts add time; that said, Phelps’ 1:43.31 was shiny (LZR-aided). Biedermann opened with a shiny 1:42.81 in Rome 2009.

Yang’s 1:43.16 is the fastest textile split AFAIK.

samuel huntington
7 years ago

Guy developing into one of the best swimmers in the world

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