Ukraine’s Nikita Sheremet Clocks 21.75 In 50 Free, Equals World Junior Record

The first event on the third night of the World Junior Championships provided some fireworks as a world junior record was equaled.

Eighteen-year-old Nikita Sheremet of Ukraine clocked a time of 21.75 to win semifinal two, equaling Michael Andrew‘s longstanding mark from the 2017 edition of the championships. Sheremet first broke 22 seconds this morning with a 21.82 to lead prelims. He remains the third-fastest Ukrainian swimmer in history, behind 2024 world champion Vladyslav Bukhov (21.38) and Andrii Govorov (21.46).

“I can’t believe this. It’s unbelievable for me, but I hope I can swim faster. I can’t believe this world record. I hoped, and I did it,” Sheremet said after the swim.

Sheremet was a relative unknown prior to this breakout swim, as he has never competed at a senior World-level meet such as the World Championships or Olympic Games, unlike many juniors who break world junior records.

The Ukrainian broke 23 seconds for the first time in 2023 going 22.89, lowered his best to 22.46 last year, before dropping to 22.16 last month.

Sheremet’s main international experience stems from the European Junior Championships, where he has competed in both 2024 and 2025. In 2024, he touched 5th in the 50 free (22.55) and 35th in the 100 free (51.64). This past June, he took silver in the 50 free (22.16) and secured 25th in the 100 free (50.44).

He also competed at the European U23 Championships this year, which were held one week prior to the European Juniors, and walked away with silver in the 50 free (22.17) with a best time.

Sheremet is set to join the University of Louisville later this month. Louisville finished 5th at the 2025 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships and 14th at the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.