Butterfly Cut Hands Caeleb Dressel Swimming World Male World Record of the Year
For all the talent owned by Caeleb Dressel, it is not like the American can effortlessly steamroll his competition. That’s not how the sport works. The workload logged by Dressel – in the pool and on dryland – is the driving force to the vast success he has enjoyed. It also helps that Dressel possesses the X-Factor of flourishing under pressure.
As Dressel stormed to five gold medals at last summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, the American faced a daunting challenge in the 100-meter butterfly. Lurking in the event was Hungarian Kristof Milak, the world-record holder in the 200 butterfly who figured to test Dressel over two laps. Indeed, that scenario unfolded, and Dressel had an answer for his European foe.
Fueled by his unmatched start, Dressel maintained his advantage over the closing meters and registered a world record of 49.45, an effort that clipped .05 off his previous standard. It turned out Dressel needed such a performance against Milak, who became the No. 2 performer in history with a European standard of 49.68. Not surprisingly, Dressel’s swim has earned Male World Record of the Year accolades from Swimming World.
“It was a really fun race to be a part of,” Dressel said. “I’m sure it was fun to watch for y’all, which is good for the sport. It was well executed. My body wasn’t as good as it could’ve been. That’s just the body I was given on this day. I felt better yesterday for the fly, but it’s fine. I knew what I had to do to execute. But it’s fine.”
Despite breaking the world record, Dressel left some time in the pool. His turn at the 50-meter mark was long and his finish, too, was not perfectly times. Give Dressel better efforts on those two aspects of the race and he could have been looking at a 49-low mark. The way Dressel demands excellence from himself, there’s no doubt he’ll be chasing something quicker in the days ahead. Dressel owns the three-fastest times in history, and five of the top six.
In Milak, Dressel now has an opponent who will keep the pressure coming on the road to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The Hungarian youngster is developing enhanced speed for the shorter event and will play the role against Dressel that Kyle Chalmers occupies in the 100 freestyle. Surely, the days ahead will be exciting.
“What a close race, and two of the fastest times in history,” Dressel said. “You don’t get that very often. So, to be a part of that is really special. Kristof’s a young kid. I mean, I am too. I guess I’m considered one of the older ones now, but that event’s only going to get faster, and I’m aware of that.”