Watch Dressel Rattle the WR in 100m Fly, Cracking the 49.9 Barrier in Budapest

2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Barely dry from his 50m free final just a half hour earlier, Caeleb Dressel stepped up to the block to race the second of his three races of the night on Saturday: the final of the men’s 100m butterfly. Dressel unleashed the second-fastest swim of all time, only 4/100 behind Michael Phelps‘ 49.82 from 2009. Only three athletes have ever broken the 50-second barrier: Phelps (49.82), Dressel (49.86), and Milorad Cavic (49.95).

Kristof Milak, of host nation Hungary, claimed the silver medal, while Great Britain’s James Guy and Singapore’s Joseph Schooling tied for the bronze.

Watch the entire race, courtesy of NBC Sports.

Write-up from James Sutherland:

MEN’S 100 FLY – FINALS

  1. Caeleb Dressel, USA, 49.86
  2. Kristof Milak, HUN, 50.62
  3. James Guy, GBR / Joseph Schooling, SNG, 50.83

It was just over half an hour after the 50 free, but it was also Caeleb Dressel needed. He left no doubt, out first in 23.31 and back in 26.55 to win gold in a mind boggling 49.86. That is the 2nd fastest swim in history, trailing only Michael Phelps‘ 49.82 from 2009. He passes Milorad Cavic‘s 49.95, also from 2009 for 2nd fastest performer ever.

Dressel is now well on his way to three golds in one night, which would be the first time that has ever been done. He sweeps the 100 free / 100 fly at Worlds for the first time in history, and now has five golds in Budapest.

Hungary’s Kristof Milak delighted the crowd once again, lowering his junior world record down to 50.62 for the silver medal. James Guy and Olympic champ Joseph Schooling tied for the bronze medal in 50.83.

This was the fastest field in history, with a mind blowing six swimmers sub-51 after only Schooling was last summer in Rio. On top of that, 7th place was 51.00. Laszlo Cseh took 5th in 50.92, and Li Zhuhao was 6th in 50.96.

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wowo
7 years ago

Why the freaking heck can we not get the US broadcast available for these videos?

Washedup
7 years ago

A few things…Rowdy made no mention that Dressel’s time is really faster than Phelps WR due to textile vs speed suit era. Rowdy’s is not ready to have Phelps be eclipsed that quickly. I mention this only because every time records are posted before races he always brings up the speed suit era when the record is from 2009 and he said nothing of it after the race. Will also be interesting to see how many top level swimmers stop breathing the last 10 meters of their 100 (or longer) races. Dressel pulls away from the field in the last 10 meters.

pvdh
Reply to  Washedup
7 years ago

that technique is nothing new. Caeleb is just incredible at generating power at the end

Admin
7 years ago

David – USA Swimming doesn’t keep yards records for the stroke 50s. They’re virtually never swum as standalone races at the senior level.

Phelps swims 200 breast rio
7 years ago

I’m thinking of changing my cat’s name to Dressel.

Chase
7 years ago

1 year ago, if you would’ve told me that caeleb Dressel goes 49.86 and schooling doesn’t even podium at 2017 worlds, I would’ve laughed in your face

Chase
Reply to  Chase
7 years ago

Whoops schooling tied for 3rd lol

Bill
7 years ago

Another monster swim from Dressel. Wow!

karl
7 years ago

so dressel really is superior.

Snarky
7 years ago

Where’s Waldo? (Aka LeClown). Too much hype on schooling. 50.8 in practice doesn’t mean much when dressel drops a 49.8.

About Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant is the mother of four daughters, all of whom swam in college. With an undergraduate degree from Princeton (where she was an all-Ivy tennis player) and an MBA from INSEAD, she worked for many years in the financial industry, both in France and the U.S. Anne is currently …

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