Race Video: Watch Tom Shields Post Electric 21.99 50 Butterfly American Record

2021 FINA WORLD CUP STOP #2 – BUDAPEST

American Olympian Tom Shields stunned the field during the 50 butterfly final at the 2021 FINA World Cup meet in Budapest, Hungary. Shields, swimming from lane 5, powered his way down two lengths of the short course pool and stopped the clock in a 21.99 to reset his own best time as well as the American record in the event.

The former mark was held by Caeleb Dressel who swam a 22.04 during the 2020 International League Season, while Shields’ former PB was a 22.09 from just a week ago at the Berlin stop of the 2021 FINA World Cup.

Along with being the fastest American man in the history of this event, Shields is now the second man to swim a sub-22 second 50 fly in 2021, joining world record holder Nicholas Santos of Brazil who has posted a 21.81 and a 21.83 thus far in 2021.

Despite Shields being joined by an elite crew of butterfliers including Szebasztian Szabo, Kristof Milak, and Vlad Morozov, he was able to finish for gold a full 0.25 seconds before silver medalist Szabo. Read more about Shields’ record here and check out the race video, provided by FINA, below.

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M L
3 years ago

Milak breathing almost every stroke, no doubt simulating the first 50 of the 100…

Mclovin
3 years ago

When I grow up I want to be one of those sick underwaters

BKP
Reply to  Mclovin
3 years ago

The man has some dirty undies, that’s for sure!

Last edited 3 years ago by BKP
Eric the eel > Phelps
Reply to  BKP
3 years ago

hold up

katie’s gator arc
3 years ago

ay yooooo 🥶😳

Drewbrewsbeer
3 years ago

Ermahgerd!

Coach Mike 1952
3 years ago

Yo!!!!!!!!!

Hswimmer
3 years ago

Get that start down and WR is his

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Hswimmer
3 years ago

It’s pretty unreal how much faster than Dressel he is in the actual water.

Joel Lin
3 years ago

Tom Tommy Tom Tommay !!!

Wild Bill
3 years ago

Wow!