Ryan Lochte Swims 2nd-Best 200 Fly of His Career in Greensboro Prelims

2019 USA SWIMMING PRO SWIM SERIES – GREENSBORO

The comeback trail continues for American swimmer Ryan Lochte, who in his first swim at the 2019 Pro Swim Series stop in Greensboro, North Carolina on Thursday swam a 2:01.73 in the 200 meter fly. At 35-years old, that’s the 2nd-fastest time of his career, behind only a 2:01.19 that he swam at the 2016 Southern Premier Meet.

Editor’s note: because Lochte is not a registered member of USMS, the swim does not count as a Masters National or World Record.

Most of Lochte’s career has been focused on IM, backstroke, and freestyle races, though he did really start to go after the 100 fly later in his career as he neared his 30s. He never won an Olympic or long course World Championship medal in butterfly (he has 12 and 27 of those, respectively, in his decorated career). He did take bronze in the 100 fly at the 2012 Short Course World Championships, however, using his monster underwaters to land on the podium.

The 200 fly, however, is an event that he never swam at any serious championship meet (national or international). That doesn’t make this swim as significant as, say, if he were the 2nd-best time of his career in the 200 IM or 200 back in early November; it does, however, still mean something, as he swam faster than he did in-season even in 2006 or 2010 or 2011 when he was in the prime of his career.

This supports Lochte’s claims that he feels as good as he did when he was at his swimming peak in 2012. Lochte returned from a 14 month suspension at this summer’s US National Championships and won the 200 IM there. In the 2 months thereafter, he lost 21 pounds to check in at 196 – which is basically the same weight that he raced at during the best moments of his career.

There is a bit of a vacuum in that 200 IM as the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials draw near, and more-and-more evidence indicates that the World Record holder Lochte might be the man to swim it, even though he’s spent more time suspended than eligible since the 2016 Summer Olympics. Last year, even 21 pounds heavy, he swam the 12th-ranked 200 IM in the world, and the 3rd-ranked in the US after Chase Kalisz (1:56.78) and Abrahm Devine (1:57.66). This 200 fly, where he had the 2nd-fastest closing 50 meters of any swimmer in the field on Thursday (31.23), gives even more credibility to his Olympic potential.

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jason zajonc
3 years ago

Lochte has had a great career…an AMAZING one…one of the best ones…he has raced against the GOAT for year ad beat him and had some of the best races around. I am hoping he will pull thru for the now 2021 games one last time and medal in something…best of luck to him and when he goes to masters swimming he will make another splash and make some cool things happen…

Steve Wierhake
4 years ago

I hope he stays motivated and healthy – he really has great shot at making the Olympic team again.. The new GMX7 X1-Pro resistance training thing he is using may just turn out to be the game changer that its promoters/producers say it is.

Kristiina
4 years ago

Why he swam this event? Very good time age at 35

Samesame
Reply to  Kristiina
4 years ago

I know a few IM swimmers who swim 200s of every stroke . Helps endurance . Great for 200 IM and especially 400 IMs . ( I know Lochte is probably not doing 400 IM) .

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Samesame
4 years ago

totally correct

Dbswims
4 years ago

Hes pulling a MP from 2016. Olympic Trials is gonna be lit.

McG
4 years ago

From what I understand Michael Andrew swims every meet shaved, and given his low yardage training he cant really taper that much. Lochte will be rested shaved and tapered at trials…I’ll take him over MA.

anonymous
Reply to  McG
4 years ago

Most of the top sprinters swimming World Cup events shave after all they are swimming professionally for money. You don’t understand the workouts MA does which by the way Ryan Lochte can’t do.

Spectatorn
Reply to  anonymous
4 years ago

out of curiosity – why can’t Ryan Lochte do MA workouts?

McG
Reply to  anonymous
4 years ago

My point is MA will not have any big drops in time from what he swims in season. Lochte swims slower in season and we can expect a drop in time when he is fully shaved and tapered. What MA does in season will be pretty much the same thing he does at the end of the season…look at his performance and world’s this year. I’m not saying he’s not a great swimmer and doesn’t do tough workouts. However, whatever his 200 IM time is during the season will be the same as what he does at trials.

NoFlyKick
Reply to  McG
4 years ago

I’m a big MA fan, but in the 2IM if Ryan is any where close after the BR, MA doesn’t have a chance against him. Lochte can close like a freight train.

Coach Mary
Reply to  McG
4 years ago

Michael doesnt “taper” the way other programs dictate. His ability to train at a very intense level is something coaches should at least consider looking at! I hope that they both make it to Tokyo!!!

MKW
4 years ago

Lochte has never been one to shy away from a challenge, nice going!

Greg
4 years ago

Consistent, focused training along with good sleep and nutrition is keying his improved form. His weight loss is keying the social media marketing of his training plan.

Johnson
4 years ago

First off look at THIS man credit, grit hard work.
Devotion.
Stamina.
Respect his drive, motivation.
Eye of the tiger. Ryan.
You can do it.
Believe & Achieve

Coach Mary
Reply to  Johnson
4 years ago

He is also one of the nicest people on the planet. When he did our clinic he was fantastic. He helped raise thousands for our infant rescue and low income swim program. In my book he is the best!

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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