FLASH! Marrit Steenbergen Breaks World Record in 100 Freestyle

FLASH! Marrit Steenbergen Breaks World Record in 100 Freestyle; Takes Down Sarah Sjostrom’s Longstanding Mark

For the third time in a month, Marrit Steenbergen has cracked the 52-second within the 100-meter freestyle. This newest go to to that particular territory, nevertheless, made the Dutchwoman the quickest lady in historical past.

Following speedy performances final month on the Mare Nostrum Series, Steenbergen ripped a 51.68 throughout Saturday’s finals on the Sette Colli International Trophy in Rome. Racing on the Foro Italico, which has hosted the World Championships and European Champs, Steenbergen blew away a stellar area and registered her identify as a world-record holder.

Out in 24.98 and residential in a break up of 26.70, Steenbergen bettered the 51.71 that Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom had posted on the 2017 World Championships in Budapest. (Sjostrom’s time got here on the leadoff leg of her nation’s 400 freestyle relay.)

Following Steenbergen to the wall in Rome Saturday have been Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey (52.52), Italy’s Sara Curtis (52.69) and American Gretchen Walsh (52.91).

🚨Nowy rekord świata na 100m stylem dowolnym kobiet!

🇳🇱 Marrit Steenbergen popłynęła w Rzymie dwie długości basenu w czasie 51.68‼️

Poprawiła rekord Sarah Sjöström 🇸🇪 z 2017 roku o 0.03 sekundy! pic.twitter.com/E4a6j4XK59

— Sportowy Rytm Dnia (@SportowyRytm) June 27, 2026

It’s not a shock that Steenbergen lowered Sjostrom’s world file, no matter its age. During Mare Nostrum, Steenbergen turned in 100 free swims of 51.86 and 51.97 to threaten the usual. A month later, she bought the job executed, and has constructed main momentum on the street to this summer time’s European Championships in Paris.

The 26-year-old Steenbergen is a two-time world champion within the 100 freestyle, having received that title in 2024 (Doha) and 2025 (Singapore). But this yr, the Dutch standout has moved to a different degree. Not solely is she now the world-record holder, she is the one lady to interrupt 52 seconds within the 100 free on a number of events.

Haughey held a slight lead on the halfway level, as she break up 24.94. But over the past size, it was all Steenbergen, who emerged in entrance off an enormous flip and continued to broaden her margin.

Curtis’ time was good for an Italian file, beating her prior commonplace of 53.01. Curtis set a European file within the 50 backstroke on Friday.

Meet Results