Josh Liendo Cracks Canadian Record with 21.63 50 Free, #1 Time in the World

2022 CANADIAN SWIMMING TRIALS

DAY 6 FINALS HEAT SHEET

MEN’S 50 FREESTYLE – FINALS

  • World Record – 20.91, Cesar Cielo, 2009
  • Canadian Record – 21.73, Brent Hayden, 2009
  • FINA ‘A’ Standard – 22.18

PODIUM:

  1. Josh Liendo (NYAC) – 21.63 (CANADIAN RECORD)
  2. Yuri Kisil (WS) – 22.17
  3. Owen Guyn (LASC) – 22.61

At just 19 years old, Josh Liendo won a trio of titles at the 2022 Canadian Swimming Trials this past week. The sprint freestyle and butterflier won the 100 fly, 100 free and 50 free, qualifying for Canada’s World Championships team in all 3.

Tonight, he roared to victory in the men’s 50 free final, getting out to a better start than anyone else in the field, and pulling away from the very beginning of the race. He won the title in 21.63 tonight, marking a new Canadian Record. The previous record was held by Canadian sprint legend Brent Hayden, who coincidentally just announced his retirement in the last couple of weeks. Breaking a Brent Hayden record carries a lot of weight in Canadian swimming, as Hayden is hands down the nation’s best male sprinter in history. While Hayden’s best event was the 100 free, he was still an accomplished 50 freestyler, winning Commonwealth Games Gold in 2010, and Pan Pacs Bronze in 2006 and 2010.

For Liendo, the swim wasn’t just a Canadian Record, it makes him the fastest swimmer in the world this year. It should be noted that he didn’t shave for this meet, which would indicate he could go faster at World Championships and/or the Commonwealth Games this summer.

2021-2022 LCM Men 50 Free

2Benjamin
Proud
GBR21.3206/24
3Michael
Andrew
USA21.4106/24
4Bruno
Fratus
BRA21.4905/22
5Maxime
Grousset
FRA21.5706/24
View Top 29»

Comparing his race tonight to the highest level international meets, his time would have earned him 5th at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. At the most recent World Championships (2019), the time would have been good for 7th. It would be a huge step forward for Canada in the event if Liendo is in finals at the World Champs this summer, swimming for a medal. On that note, Swimming Canada has reason to celebrate tonight, as Yuri Kisil made it in under the FINA ‘A’ cut as well, meaning Canada will have two men in the 50 free in Budapest for the first time since 2017.

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Scotty
2 years ago

Damn

1st class lineman
2 years ago

Jordan Crooks ?

The unoriginal Tim
2 years ago

Watch out Remel.

SwimElite99
2 years ago

Both by 19 years old:

50 FR: Liendo 21.63, Dressel 21.53

100FR: Liendo 48.13, Dressel 47.91 (Dressel did this 7 days before turning 20, wheras Liendo has 4 months left with WC and CG to go).

100FL: Liendo 50.88, Dressel 52.22 (Dressel did this 1.5 months from turning 20).

Notably, Liendo was also unshaved for the 50FR and 100FL. We’ve got something special on our hands.

Dressel Propagandist
Reply to  SwimElite99
2 years ago

During 2015 nationals, Dressel was 18 years old and 11 months, when he went 21.53.

Your Josh is 19 years old and 8 months.

So not the same age.

#GOAT #BuiltDifferent #Project20.7
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Last edited 2 years ago by Dressel Propagandist
SwimFan99
Reply to  Dressel Propagandist
2 years ago

I said “by 19″. Dressel never went faster than 21.53 until he was 20. Furthermore, Josh’s 48.13 was also from when he was 18, so… irrelevant.

Last edited 2 years ago by SwimFan99
PVK
2 years ago

He’s another Dressel in the offing. Same schedule right? 50-100 free, 100 fly. Amazing talent.

Scotty
2 years ago

I am just so delighted at the talents Britain and Canada gets to be able to challenge the U.S and Australia

PFA
2 years ago

Double check this but this would make Liendo the 3rd fastest teen in history behind Dressel, and Andrew

Big Mac #1
2 years ago

In Paris, dressel will be a footnote. We will all be talking about josh.

FormerSwimParentofTwo
Reply to  Big Mac #1
2 years ago

I’m Canadian, a huge Liendo fan, but to say that Dressel will be a footnote would be a stretch. I for one would love to see a Dressel, Liendo at prime Olympic race. Would be the best sub 21 seconds on TV

casas 50.7 fly
Reply to  FormerSwimParentofTwo
2 years ago

i like how all of you are now assuming that liendo will go sub 21 just cos he was tapered and swam good times. Respectfully if dressel, proud, manado i, andrew and co never go sub 21 liendo isn’t doing it anytime soon

FormerSwimParentofTwo
Reply to  casas 50.7 fly
2 years ago

One can dream, and I did not say it would be Liendo. πŸ™‚

Last edited 2 years ago by FormerSwimParentofTwo
SwimFan99
Reply to  casas 50.7 fly
2 years ago

Liendo is unshaved and only slightly tapered so… try again

Canadian Swammer
Reply to  FormerSwimParentofTwo
2 years ago

Liendo also won’t be winning all of the relays (as much as I can dream as a Canadian swim fan)

Scotty
Reply to  Big Mac #1
2 years ago

You’re exaggerating bro

Caeleb Remel Cultist
Reply to  Big Mac #1
2 years ago

Keep dreaming 😴 πŸ›Œ

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