3 Questions to Answer in Swimming’s New Year(Part I)

3 Questions to Answer in Swimming’s New Year (Part I)

With a New Year upon us, it’s pure to gaze forward and take into account a number of the plotlines inside the sport. So, as a part of a multi-piece sequence, Swimming World will pose some main questions that determine to be answered over the subsequent 12 months. We open the sequence with the next three questions:

Is a Sub-57 Women’s 100 Backstroke on the Horizon?

With the United States’ Regan Smith proudly owning the world report at 57.13 and Australian Kaylee McKeown possessing a better of 57.16, the ladies’s 100-meter backstroke appears poised to go to 56-second territory within the close to future. Smith and McKeown have produced the 24-fastest performances in historical past, and 28 of the 29-fastest marks of all-time, so it could be stunning to see one other athlete go 56-point forward of the American or Aussie.

Smith and McKeown share one of many high rivalries within the sport and have undoubtedly pushed each other to their present heights, whether or not within the 100 backstroke or 200 backstroke, or within the long-course and short-course swimming pools. Smith and McKeown will possible face off at this summer season’s Pan Pacific Championships in Southern California, which may very well be the location of a barrier-breaking second within the 100 again.

Can the United States Men Locate a Top-Tier 100 Backstroker?

It’s not typically that Team USA is confronted with uncertainty within the 100 backstroke, however that state of affairs has arisen. Last 12 months, the top-ranked American within the 100 backstroke was Will Modglin, whose clocking of 52.54 from the World University Games slotted him eleventh for the 2025 season. In an period the place sub-52 is turning into extra commonplace, the U.S. will want one thing sooner, significantly for its 400 medley relay.

Modglin is one of the best wager to fill the void left by Ryan Murphy, the longer term Hall of Famer who took a well-deserved break following the 2024 Olympic Games. Whether or not Murphy returns to worldwide waters, the U.S. wants somebody to step up, and Modglin is positioned to be the reply. Not solely did he take a significant step ahead along with his efficiency on the World University Games, Modglin set an American report within the 100-yard backstroke. Since Modglin has excelled in each lengthy course and quick course, he might be anticipated to take additional strides within the massive pool.

But depth and competitors are additionally wanted within the occasion, so it is going to be fascinating to see who else is able to turning into stalwart. Daniel Diehl (52.94) joined Modglin in sub-53 territory final 12 months and Tommy Janton checked in with a better of 53.00. While each have potential, they’ll want vital drops to grow to be gamers on the worldwide scene. At final 12 months’s World Champs, it took sub-52 to make the rostrum and 52.57 to make the ultimate of the 100 backstroke.

Will Kyle Chalmers Join the 46 Club within the 100 Freestyle?

Australian Kyle Chalmers is among the biggest 100 freestylers in historical past, having captured an Olympic title in 2016 to go together with a pair of silver medals in Tokyo and Paris. The 27-year-old can also be a world champion within the occasion and has fueled Australian relays on quite a few events. The solely lacking bullet level on his resume? A sub-47 efficiency.

Chalmers owns 14 of the 20-fastest 100 freestyles in Australian historical past, together with a pair of 47.08 markers that rank him because the No. 3 Aussie performer of all-time. In a 12 months that may function alternatives on the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships (if he opts for each), Chalmers might tick off that 46-point effort. As among the best closers within the sport, the expertise is clearly there to hitch a membership that at the moment has six members.

As the game continues to get sooner, visiting the 46-second realm is perhaps required of Chalmers with a purpose to attain the rostrum in upcoming worldwide competitions. Chinese Olympic champ Pan Zhanle has proven his skill with a world report of 46.40 whereas Romanian David Popovici has routinely gone sub-47, together with a better of 46.51 that delivered final 12 months’s world title. Meanwhile, American Jack Alexy packaged a quartet of 46-second marks in 2025, and is looking at his greatest days.