Budapest 2024, Day 6: Jordan Crooks Backs Big Week With Gold in 50 Free
It’s gotten to the point in Budapest this week that any race not ending in a world record seems an outlier.
For Jordan Crooks, one ending with him getting a gold medal is just fine by him.
Crooks didn’t quite match his world record speed in the final of the men’s 50 freestyle at the 2024 World Short-Course Championships on Sunday, but he did get to the wall first in 20.19 seconds to grab gold for the Cayman Islands.
It was a University of Tennessee 1-2 with Gui Caribe of Brazil second. Jack Alexy, the 100 free champ, was third.
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- Budapest Day 3 Prelims Recap
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- Budapest Day 5 Prelims Recap
- Budapest Day 6 Prelims Recap
Crooks went 19.90 in semifinals to set the world record. He wasn’t quite at that point Sunday, the final day of competition at Duna Arena. He was out a tenths slower and back a tenths slower. But his 20.19 was clearly ahead of the field, including his Rocky Top relay mate. It’s a successful defense of his 2022 World title in this event and augments his bronze medal in the 100.
“I was in Melbourne two years ago and I kind of surprised myself,” Crooks said. “I was kind of shocked I even made it on the podium. I was just super grateful to be there. The 100 didn’t go that great for me (in Melbourne), and the 50 I kind of swam it with a lot of redemption feelings, and I think I learned a lot in Melbourne, how to handle a semifinal and then the finals, because I’d never been at a meet like this.”
Crooks dialed in after Saturday’s world record, trying to keep the outside noise away and focus on his ultimate goal of getting to the wall first in finals.
“I just tried to stay in process and stay off social media,” he said. “I was focused on what is happening right now and right in front of me. … You just kind of focus on what’s happening and what you can control.”
Caribe went 20.57 for his second straight silver. Alexy went 20.61, as the 50 free podium was a mirror reflection of the 100.
“It a wonderful result for me, in this field,” Caribe said. “It was an amazing battle with these guys. For me, this is a great time, really satisfied with it. I felt my start went very well, so I just pushed as hard as I could. Now I’m really happy with this silver medal.”
Alexy was clear of teammate Chris Guiliano for bronze. Guiliano went 20.78. Alexy was fifth at the wall, Guiliano seventh. Nyls Korstanje of the Netherlands finished fifth.
