WATCH: Ruta Meilutyte Fires Off 29.56 50 Breast For New World Cup Record In Berlin

2023 WORLD AQUATICS SWIMMING WORLD CUP – BERLIN

Women’s 50 Breaststroke — Final

  • World Record: 29.16 — Ruta Meilutyte, Lithuania (2023)
  • World Cup Record: 30.23 — Eneli Jefimova, Estonia (2023)
  • World Junior Record: 29.30 — Benedetta Pilato, Italy (2021)

PODIUM:

  • GOLD: Ruta Meilutyte (Lithuania) — 29.56 (World Cup record)
  • SILVER: Eneli Jefimova (Estonia) — 30.35
  • BRONZE: Dominika Sztandera (Poland) — 30.61

Ruta Meilutyte, the new 50 breaststroke world record holder, left nothing to chance during the race in Berlin. In the 100 breaststroke on Day 2, she was out fast at the 50 before fading down the stretch and falling from 1st at the 50 to 5th at the finish. But there was no fading here, as Meilutyte had a statement swim, crushing a 29.56 for the win and a new World Cup record.

Courtesy: SportMedia (via Twitter)

The swim shatters the World Cup record that Eneli Jefimova set hours earlier in the morning heats, lowering the mark by .67 seconds. It also ties Meilutyte with her 2013 self for 10th fastest performance all-time.

Women’s 50 Breast (LCM), Fastest Performances All-Time

  1. Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) — 29.16 (2023)
  2. Ruta Meiltutyte (LTU)/Benedetta Pilato (ITA) — 29.30 (2023/2021)
  3. (tie)
  4. Benedetta Pilato (ITA) — 29.35 (2021)
  5. Lilly King (USA) — 29.40 (2017)
  6. Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) — 29.44 (2022)
  7. Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) — 29.48 (2013)
  8. Benedetta Pilato (ITA) — 29.50 (2021)
  9. Yulia Efimova (RUS) — 29.52 (2013)
  10. Ruta Meilutyte (LTU)/Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) — 29.56 (2013/2023)

Of the now top 11 performances of all-time, Meilutyte now owns six of the swims, more than half the list.

In July 2023, Meilutyte won the world title in both the 50 and 100 breaststroke. In the 50, she equalled the then-world record of 29.30 in the semifinals. Then, in the final, she broke the record outright, blazing a 29.16 to establish a new mark. She owns the 50 breaststroke world record in both LCM and SCM.

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Nick the biased Aussie
6 months ago

Ruta showing the kids how it’s done.

Chris
6 months ago

Is it just me, or did both Ruta and Eneli look a bit salty to each other post-race?

Last edited 6 months ago by Chris
Fukuoka Gold
Reply to  Chris
6 months ago

It’s not Eneli’s fault that she has salty resting face

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Sophie Kaufman

Sophie grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, which means yes, she does root for the Bruins, but try not to hold that against her. At 9, she joined her local club team because her best friend convinced her it would be fun. Shoulder surgery ended her competitive swimming days long ago, …

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