Sam Williamson Lowers Aussie Record With 26.41 50 Breast Top Seed

2024 WORLD AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

It may have just been a semi-final of the men’s 50m breaststroke, but Australian Sam Williamson registered the fastest time of his career to take the top seed in a new national record.

Racing in the 2nd semi, 25-year-old Williamson ripped a lifetime best of 26.41 to get to the wall first, slicing .10 off of his previous Aussie record in the process.

The next-fastest qualifier for tomorrow night’s final was the 100m breaststroke silver medalist here Nicolo Martinenghi who hit 26.65 while the 100m breast champion Nic Fink logged 26.77 as the 3rd seed.

Of note, American Michael Andrew fell to 11th and out of the final with his time tonight of 27.18.

As for Williamson, the Melbourne Vicentre established the prior Aussie mark of 26.51 just last December while racing at the Japan Open. His new PB of 26.41 now renders him the 6th-fastest performer in history in the men’s 50m breast.

Top 10 Men’s LCM 50 Breaststroke Performers All-Time

  1. Adam Peaty (GBR) – 25.95, 2017
  2. Qin Haiyang (CHN) – 26.20, 2023
  3. Ily Shymanovich (BLR) – 26.28, 2023
  4. Felipe Lima (BRA) – 26.33, 2019 & Nicolo Martinenghi (ITA) – 26.33, 2022
  5. Samuel Williamson (AUS) – 26.41, 2024
  6. Joao Gomes Junior (BRA) – 26.42 2019
  7. Nic Fink (USA) – 26.45, 2022
  8. Michael Andrew (USA) – 26.52, 2022
  9. Cameron Van Der Burgh (RSA) – 26.54, 2017

This represents Williamson’s 2nd World Championships final appearance. He placed 4th in the 100m breast already here, scoring a new personal best of 59.21 on night 2.

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Eddie
8 months ago

Great opportunity for him. Pretty sure he is tapered whereas Fink, Martinenghi and Peaty are not – so now is his chance to claim a worlds gold. Good luck to him.

Troyy
Reply to  Eddie
8 months ago

Fink ain’t going 58.5 without a significant amount of rest.

Miss M
8 months ago

Who would have thought it: an Aussie sprint breaststroker is our best shot at being a World
champion this year?

Have loved watching Sam’s progression over the last few years!

Mark69
Reply to  Miss M
8 months ago

Cam Mcevoy is surely our best shot.

Miss M
Reply to  Mark69
8 months ago

Momentary brain fail! 🤣

Our second best shot is still a surprise.

Maria Vlezkl
Reply to  Mark69
8 months ago

Both, Sam and Cam are doing exceptionally well. I would not call either second. Both are putting a lot of hard work in and producing equally remarkable results.

Robbos
Reply to  Miss M
8 months ago

Cam the man!!!

Danny
8 months ago

Great to see an aussie breastroker improving and doing well at the international level. Go Sam

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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