WATCH: Kliment Kolesnikov Smashes 100 Back World Record On Relay Lead-off

2020 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING LEAGUE FINAL – DAY 2

Kliment Kolesnikov was one of three swimmers to set an individual world record during the 2020 ISL Final, doing so with a jaw-dropping 48.58 in the 100 backstroke leading off the Energy Standard men’s 400 medley relay.

That swim broke the previous mark of 48.88 set by China’s Xu Jiayu in 2018. Prior to that swim, Kolesnikov owned the record for just under a year in 48.90.

Following the Russian’s outstanding opening leg, his Energy Standard teammates Ilya Shymanovich (55.38), Chad Le Clos (48.53) and Florent Manaudou (45.79) brought the club in for a final time of 3:18.28, putting them almost a full second under the existing world record of 3:19.16.

Despite it being the fastest relay of all-time, Energy Standard’s swim won’t count as an official world record due to the fact that the swimmers represent more than one country internationally. This was also the case in Energy Standard’s wins in the women’s and men’s 400 free relays. The Cali Condor women set the world record in their medley relay because all four swimmers are from the United States. Energy Standard also posted the fastest relay of all-time in the 400 mixed freestyle, but world records aren’t officially recognized in that event.

You can watch the full relay below:

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Joe
4 years ago

Kolesnikov’s back halves are insane, they’re Phelpsonian. The way he blasts off that 50m wall, surging ahead of Ryan Murphy, is reminiscent of MP doing the 100 free.

Funny thing though is that Phelps had insane second 50s because he just didn’t have the raw speed over the first 50. Kolesnikov (as the 50 LCM WR holder) most certainly does have the speed, which means that he makes a conscious decision to split his races like he does.

Clearly it’s working well for him.

Riccardo
4 years ago

You know I’m usually really hard on Rowdy for being a homer and a frontrunner and not knowing enough about the field overall (see Men’s 200 breast at 2016 trials where he was shocked Prenot won).

But I have to give him credit right here for being really on top of it with Kolesnikov getting the record, he didn’t miss a beat.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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