As Several U.S. NAG Records Go Down, a Look at the Ridiculous Aussie Age-Group Marks Of Ian Thorpe
When Thomas Heilman established a National Age Group (NAG) record in the 100-meter freestyle at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships, he erased a standard from a major name. Heilman’s effort of 49.06 in a preliminary swim bettered the 49.28 mark of Caeleb Dressel in the 15-16 classification from the 2013 season. Given Dressel’s status as a multi-time Olympic champion, Heilman pulled off no small feat while racing in Hawaii. He followed with a spectacular NAG in the 100 butterfly, as he went sub-52.
Heilman’s effort led to a bit of research, specifically to the age-group records of the legendary Ian Thorpe. In Australia, Thorpe’s age-group marks in the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle are downright unbelievable. The nine-time Olympic medalist owns records in those events for every age from 14 to 18 years old. Thorpe formerly held several 100 freestyle records, too, but Kyle Chalmers and Flynn Southam took down those marks.
How far ahead of his time was Thorpe in his prime events? Check out these times from the Hall of Famer.
Note: The United States NAG record for each age group is listed in parentheses.
14 Years Old
200 Freestyle: 1:50.07 (1:51.27)
400 Freestyle: 3:49.64 (3:57.61)
15 Years Old
200 Freestyle: 1:46.70 (1:49.65)
400 Freestyle: 3:44.35 (3:50.82
16 Years Old
200 Freestyle: 1:46.00 (1:47.73)
400 Freestyle: 3:41.83 (3:50.68)
17 Years Old
200 Freestyle: 1:45.37 (1:46.51)
400 Freestyle: 3:40.59 (3:47.95)
18 Years Old
200 Freestyle: 1:44.06 (1:45.99)
400 Freestyle: 3:40.17 (3:46.08)
Only popovici could dream of breaking these
What is the estimated time adjustment of Thorpe’s signature body suit? Obviously it is not a Super suit but nonetheless it would be banned by Fina so not sure how good these times really were.