Video: Thoman, Hungry for a Sub 44 in 100 Backstroke after his American Record Swim

Video interview is courtesy of Kelsey Floyd. Video edit is courtesy of Coleman Hodges.

2013 US Winter National Championships – Men’s 100 Back – as reported by SwimSwam 

The 100 back was a showdown between the red-hot Nick Thoman, who was just off the American record leading off the 400 medley last night and was a part of the American record-breaking 200 medley relay earlier tonight, and the current American record-holder and 100 butterfly winner Matt Grevers. Grevers had the early speed, leading for the first 75 yards, but Thoman clawed back on the final underwater, blowing past Grevers, who appeared to be feeling the effects of his 100 fly race just a few events earlier. Both broke the old American record of 44.55 – Thoman was 44.07 and Grevers 44.49. Thoman’s win was thanks to his outrageous 22.47 back-half split.

Cal freshman Ryan Murphy was third overall, going 45.77, just a few tenths off his lifetime best. That is the second-best 100 back time in the NCAA so far behind only Mitchell Friedemann of Arizona who went 45.52 in prelims at the Texas Invite and is yet to swim again tonight. New York Athletic Club’s Arkady Vyatchanin came in just behind, going 45.88.

Michigan post-grad Sean Fletcher dropped half a second off his prelims time to win the C final in 47.74.

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ERVINFORTHEWIN
10 years ago

One of the coolest guys in the swimming world . I can’t forget his second place finish in London . That was a great Thoman allready . Now , as BOBO said , his break has been very well mastered and prepared . His shape is at it’s peak . Happy to see him back . Usa is loaded with amazing swimmers on backstroke any other country would love to have on it’s side .
I don’t know if anyone checked one of his 2 facebook pages these last 2 weeks but he posted very funny pictures of him with a 70’s look . Absolutely worth to be seen ; hilarious and very well done .

bobo gigi
10 years ago

He wanted a 43.9? Crazy!
44.07 could last a very long time.
I don’t remember exactly how was his face before his break but when I watch the video, I see a man incredibly fit with a percentage of body fat close to 0%. Perhaps I’m wrong but it looks like he has lost weight compared with his body in London.
Anyway, he’s stronger than ever.

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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