Kristof Milak Speaks On 1:50.73 2Fly World Record, “I Thought It Was 1:51”

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that Hungary’s 19-year-old Kristof Milak broke the men’s 200m fly World Record en route to gold during night 4 of the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships.

The time of 1:50.73 was significant in itself, but extra eye-popping since the new mark overtook the previous World Record time of 1:51.51 held by none other than America’s Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all-time. Phelps had held the record for a streak of 18 years, having most recently lowered the standard to the aforementioned back in 2009.

In the video below, teenaged Milak has trouble finding words to describe his incredible feat, appearing genuinely stunned he was able to accomplish what it is he just accomplished.

“I still need to understand how it happened,” the Hungarian says.

He also describes the race in detail, explaining how he ‘got scared’ seeing South African Chad Le Clos so speedy on the front section, but also saying this tactic only fueled him on and enabled him to hit the WR.

“I needed him [Le Clos] in front of me to reach the World Record.”

Milak also describes how he’ll be taking a break from fly for a while and move on to backstroke and freestyle, disciplines in which the teen has competed at an elite level in the past.

He owns a 200m free PB of 1:46.90, 400m free PB of 3:48.08, a 100m back PB of 54.67 and a 200m back PB of 1:59.75.

He took the 400m freestyle title at the 2018 European Junior Championships, as well as both the 200m and 400m free golds at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.

 

 

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M L
5 years ago

With his work ethic and ankle flexibility, I bet he’ll go far in other strokes…

JVW
5 years ago

It would be awesome to see him pick up the 200 free and kick Sun Yang’s rear end in the event in Tokyo.

MTK
5 years ago

Never seen him swim breaststroke, but 200fly and 200IM are often good complimentary events – could Milak potentially be a 200fr-200fl-200IM guy?

What an impressive slate of PBs that is at 19 years old. In terms of pure talent and ability to put up incredible times, Milak, Peaty, Dressel and maybe Chalmers are the “Tier 1” of men’s swimming right now.

Lane 8
Reply to  MTK
5 years ago

a potential Phelps-like versatile, dominant type?

Texas Tap Water
5 years ago

Milak is a bae

IM FAN
5 years ago

I want to see him get gold in Tokyo but that would be so funny if he’s just like “Oh, I got the World Record, ok, butterfly sucks I’m done” lol

Swammer
5 years ago

As long as he’s ready for 2020… do breaststroke if you want.

Steve
5 years ago

WOW!

DresselApologist
5 years ago

Big Milak guy now

Big Milak Guy
Reply to  DresselApologist
5 years ago

Indeed

About Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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