(ENTRY BOOK) Kyle Chalmers Drops 100 Fly to Focus on 100 Free at World Championships

2023 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Check out the official entry book here.

Australian Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers is dropping the 100 butterfly from his lineup at the 2023 World Championships to focus on the 100 freestyle, now the only individual event on his schedule next week in Fukuoka, Japan.

The 25-year-old Chalmers placed 2nd in the 100 fly at Aussie Trials last month with a time of 51.61, more than a second faster than the 52.70 he put up at last year’s World Championships en route to a 22nd-place finish in prelims. He’s replaced by third-place finisher Shaun Champion, who was already entered in the 50 fly.

Chalmers is slated for an epic showdown with 18-year-old world record holder David Popovici in the 100 free.

Also tweaking their Worlds program was fellow Aussie freestyle star Mollie O’Callaghan, who dropped the 100 back from her lineup. The 19-year-old was ranked fourth in the world this season with a 58.42 from last month, but she also reportedly dislocated her knee last month. O’Callaghan is still entered individually in the 100 free, where she’s the defending champion, as well as the 200 free and 5o back.

O’Callaghan is replaced in the 100 back by 2015 Worlds silver medalist Madi Wilson, who placed third in the prelims of Aussie Trials last month with a 59.80. It will be the only individual event at this year’s Worlds for the 29-year-old Wilson.

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Drama King
1 year ago

I’m telling you. Kyle will win the 100 free in 46.8

Andrew Tate TOP G
Reply to  Drama King
1 year ago

He will win a chocolate medal. Popovici will make him look like a child and then he will start making excuses as usual…

Last edited 1 year ago by Andrew Tate TOP G
Sub13
Reply to  Andrew Tate TOP G
1 year ago

This is exactly in line with what I expect from an Andrew Tate fan tbh

Tony
Reply to  Drama King
1 year ago

The winner may well be Chalmers, but the time won’t be under 47 seconds. It’s quite possible that Chlorine Kid may crumble under real pressure for the first time.

Skip
1 year ago

This is why Shaun Champion was selected, not a surprise

Joel
Reply to  Skip
1 year ago

I think he was selected because they needed a back up for Temple, since Chalmers would be doing freestyle in the relay.

The unoriginal Tim
1 year ago

Popovicitis.

Bossanova
Reply to  The unoriginal Tim
1 year ago

Wait a minute, is the “Dragonfly of Bucharest” even swimming the 100 fly?

Sub13
Reply to  The unoriginal Tim
1 year ago

Popovicitis makes you keep events against Popovici now?

Ceccon - Kamminga - Milak - Popovici
Reply to  The unoriginal Tim
1 year ago

That’s Dressel.

Tanner
Reply to  The unoriginal Tim
1 year ago

Do you, by chance, have a learning disorder

Troyy
Reply to  Tanner
1 year ago

No, they’re just American.

bubbles
Reply to  Troyy
1 year ago

nah it’s just diehard dressel fans

Tony
Reply to  Troyy
1 year ago

Chalmers peaked in 2016 at the Olympics in one individual event. Still looking for his first individual WC LC gold seven years later.

Sub13
Reply to  Tony
1 year ago

“Set 3 world records since late 2021” = “peaked in 2016” LOL.

He’s only swum individually at WCs once since the Olympics and he got a silver.

I am concerned for your education system.

Last edited 1 year ago by Sub13
Tony
Reply to  Sub13
1 year ago

I’m concerned about YOUR education system. You don’t seem to note things like LC vs. SC, individual vs. relay.

Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

I cannot understand these swimmers dropping out of events to concentrate on 1 event only. It’s weird to me. I think they are idiotically putting their eggs in one basket and dropping out bc they don’t have a chance at winning?? This is what I’m talking about with the entitlement nowadays. Swim
the damn races you’ve qualified for!!!

Joel
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

He has at least 4 relays. Settle down

Joel
Reply to  Joel
1 year ago

plus Chalmers is a clutch relay performer. Even though Michael Andrew won the swimswam award for best male relay performer last year, Chalmers was head and shoulders above him.

felix
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

He’s not a world class flyer, he was never swimming this. Annoy your husband Tracy

Sub13
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

He has a direct conflict with a relay that he broke the WR in last year. If he had a perfect schedule for it then sure, but he knows he’s not winning a medal in 100 fly but could win a bunch of relay medals. He’s smart.

Troyy
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

Better to drop it than do a Zach Apple in the 4×2.

Markster
1 year ago

bet he wouldn’t have dropped it if cody simpson had gotten 3rd

Mattymik
1 year ago

He looks like Caleb Dressel’s evil twin brother

Reid
Reply to  Mattymik
1 year ago

Yeah that tattoo is a red flag for sure

Sawdust
Reply to  Reid
1 year ago

Translation of “Nur die Starken überleben” is “Only the strong survive”.

STRAIGHTBLACKLINE
1 year ago

He was never going to be in serious contention in the 100BF and given his heavy relay duties the decision makes sense. However, he does have a tendency to drop events, whether it be at the Australian trials or major Championships.

CY~
1 year ago

Kyle’s PB is 51.37 from last year’s trials

Madi was 3rd in prelim, didn’t compete in finals

About Riley Overend

Riley is an associate editor interested in the stories taking place outside of the pool just as much as the drama between the lane lines. A 2019 graduate of Boston College, he arrived at SwimSwam in April of 2022 after three years as a sports reporter and sports editor at newspapers …

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