Lilly King Edges Out 50 Breast SCM American Record In 28.86

2020 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING LEAGUE: MATCH 1

  • Friday, October 16: 4 PM-6 PM Local Time (10 AM-12 noon U.S. Eastern, 11 PM-1 AM J+1 Japan)
  • Saturday, October 17: 8 PM-10 PM Local Time (2 PM-4 PM U.S. Eastern, 3 AM-5 AM J+1 Japan)
  • Duna Arena – Budapest, Hungary
  • Short Course Meters (SCM) format
  • 2020 ISL Scoring Format
  • 2020 ISL Prize Money and Bonuses
  • How To Watch
  • Teams: Energy Standard, Cali Condors, LA Current, NY Breakers

Lilly King was the most dominant swimmer in the International Swimming League last season, and the trend has carried over into this year.

King, having already claimed a win in the 200 breaststroke earlier in the session, won a tight race with Italian youngster Benedetta Pilato in the women’s 50 breast, resetting her own American Record in 28.86.

King’s previous record stood at 28.90, set in the ISL Grand Finale last season in Las Vegas. Prior to that swim, King had held the record for three years, going 28.92 at the 2016 Short Course World Championships in Windsor, Ontario.

King has yet to lose a race in her ISL career, winning every time she hit the water last season, and now sitting two-for-two thus far in 2020.

Despite the slight improvement in time, King remains the fourth-fastest performer ever, with Alia Atkinson (28.56), Jessica Hardy (28.80) and Ruta Meilutyte (28.84) still ahead of her. While Hardy is an American, her best time was set in November of 2009, when USA Swimming had stopped ratifying National Records (after Sept.1, 2009) due to the incongruity of super-suits, which for a 4 month period were allowed by FINA but not by USA Swimming.

King’s swim is the seventh-fastest performance ever.

Fastest Performances of All-Time, Women’s 50 Breaststroke (SCM)

Rank Swimmer Time Year
1 Alia Atkinson (JAM) 28.56 2018
2 Alia Atkinson (JAM) 28.64 2016
3 Jessica Hardy (USA) 28.80 2009
4 Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) 28.81 2014
T-5 Alia Atkinson (JAM) 28.84 2017
T-5 Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) 28.84 2014
7 Lilly King (USA) 28.86 2020
8 Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) 28.89 2013
9 Lilly King (USA) 28.90 2019
T-10 Alia Atkinson (JAM) 28.91 2014
T-10 Alia Atkinson (JAM) 28.91 2016

In second, Pilato lowered the world junior and Italian Records in 28.97, the 17th fastest swim ever.

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coach
3 years ago

It was a great swim, but how is Lilly’s time an American record if Jessica Hardy has been faster?

Admin
Reply to  coach
3 years ago

Despite the slight improvement in time, King remains the fourth-fastest performer ever, with Alia Atkinson (28.56), Jessica Hardy (28.80) and Ruta Meilutyte (28.84) still ahead of her. While Hardy is an American, her best time was set in November of 2009, when USA Swimming had stopped ratifying National Records (after Sept.1, 2009) due to the incongruity of super-suits, which for a 4 month period were allowed by FINA but not by USA Swimming.

coach
Reply to  Braden Keith
3 years ago

That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.

Roch
3 years ago

I will never get tired of watching King race. She’s amazing.

Future is bright
3 years ago

I guess the pond this summer did the trick. Impressive!

Guerra
3 years ago

Congrats to Lily on furthering the awesomeness of Indiana University and the GOAT, Ray Looze and his staff!

Sun Yangs Hammer
Reply to  Guerra
3 years ago

There’s no way this isn’t Rays burner account

Swimmer420
Reply to  Sun Yangs Hammer
3 years ago

Or his wife

Swimnerdnerd
3 years ago

Where could you find the official results? They only show points in livestream

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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