Xu Jiayu, the 31-year-old Chinese backstroke ace, is just coming off breaking the Asian Record in the 50 backstroke in Hangzhou, China in 23.92, which moved him up to a tie for the 3rd fastest performer all-time in the event in 23.92.
Despite the major swim, Xu feels that his reign atop the backstroke for China could be nearing its end, and that the talent that sits behind him may be on their way up.
All-Time Performers, Men’s 50 Backstroke (LCM)
- Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), 23.55 – 2023
- Hunter Armstrong (USA), 23.71 – 2022
- Justin Ress (USA) / Xu Jiayu, 23.92 – 2022 / 2026
- –
- Shaine Casas (USA), 24.00 – 2022
- Pavel Samusenko (RUS), 24.01 – 2025
- Liam Tancock (GBR), 24.04 – 2009
- Camille Lacourt (FRA), 24.07 – 2010
- Robert Glinta (ROU), 24.12 – 2018
- Pieter Coetze (RSA), 24.17 – 2025
In a report by the Chinese news outlet Tide News, Xu joked about his age, especially compared to the rest of the competition in backstroke events in China.
“I feel like a living fossil right now, and I hope to give my juniors more motivation,” Xu told Tide News.
In the 100 backstroke at the Chinese National Championships, Xu turned in the fastest time at 53.47, though the two swimmers behind him were either a decade or more younger than he was: 21-year-old Jiang Chenglin was 2nd in 53.85, while 22-year-old Wang Zicheng finished 3rd in 54.06. In that event, Xu was the only swimmer who was born before the year 2000.
“Back then, I aimed to challenge the veteran athletes for the championship. Now, I hope more young athletes can step up and surpass me,” Xu said. “In 2014, I swam a time of 52.43 seconds, which is almost the same as 52.47 seconds. Now I am challenging the problems that come with age. To maintain the level I was at 12 years ago, I have to put in more effort than I was 12 years ago.”
In November, Xu swam a 52.39 100 back at the 2025 Chinese National Games, which ranks as the fastest performance in the world this season.
2025-2026 LCM Men 100 BACK
Jiayu
52.39
| 2 | Pieter COETZE | RSA | 52.40 | 04/14 |
| 3 | Oliver MORGAN | GBR | 52.41 | 04/16 |
| 4 | Apostolos CHRISTOU | GRE | 52.47 | 06/27 |
| 5 | Kliment KOLESNIKOV | RUS | 52.51 | 06/10 |
Xu admitted that his training focus still revolves around the 200 backstroke, in which he is the 10th-fastest performer ever, though he indicated that it is the “most painful” event. This season, Xu’s fastest time of 1:56.63 puts him in a tie for the 17th in the world this season with Germany’s Cornelius Jahn.
“Short distances only require training the nerves and strength, while long distances require a much larger training volume, which is difficult for me to adapt to right now,” Xu said in the report from Tide News.
I DID NOT realize Li Zhuhao was coaching Xu. Now that is some cool stuff
Translation: Can y’all get faster so I can retire please?
Remarkable longevity. Who else, currently, has been as consistently elite for as long as Xu? I immediately think of Ledecky. And then ?
Kyle Chalmers.
He medaled in every and all 100 free events he entered since 2015 (he won 100free junior worlds in Singapore) despite multiple injuries and surgeries.
That’s 12 years straight.
Not to mention his relay prowess where he frequently took AUS relays from 4-6th position at 300m to medal position by the finish.
Chalmers also won 100 free medal in 3 Olympics, only 2 other male swimmers did it: Duke Kahanamoku and Alexander Popov.
His whole career is just consistency personified.
His Herculean anchors on the 4×100 free relays are the literal definition of consistency
2025 – takes Australia from 3rd to 1st (fastest textile relay ever) with a 46.53 split (fastest split in the race)
2024 – takes Australia from 4th to 2nd with 46.59 split (fastest split)
2023 – takes Australia from 3rd to 1st with 46.56 split (fastest split)
2022 – takes Australia from 4th to 2nd with 46.60 split (fastest split)
2021 – takes Australia from 6th to 3rd with 46.44 split (fastest split)
5 years, 5 anchor legs, 5 fastest splits of the race, all within 0.16s of each other
I think he’s also the only swimmer that I’m aware… Read more »
Dont worry MANY youngsters will surpass you as Father Time passes you by…Just enjoy the minor success you enjoyed and then fade away
Now I know why people say “ugly American”
well dang
Im sorry ur wife left
Having to hold down the fort and wait for backup when clearly there is none in sight must be pretty tough
Dude’s got a heavy load on his shoulders, but he’s carried it amazingly well. Very few people in the sport’s history have been able to maintain a consistently elite level like he has.