Caeleb Dressel Destroys World Record in 100 Butterfly
Throughout the week, there was ample discussion about the speed that would be on display during the International Swimming League Grand Final, and it was appropriate that the Cali Condors’ Caeleb Dressel lit the first fireworks. Racing in the just the second event of the opening day of the two-day meet, Dressel shattered the world record in the short-course version of the 100-meter butterfly.
Battling with fellow American Tom Shields (L.A. Current) and South Africa’s Chad Le Clos (Energy Standard), Dressel blasted a time of 47.78, to wipe out the former mark of 48.08, which was set by Le Clos at the 2016 World Championships. Dressel was out in 22.44 and came back in 25.34 to set his set world record in the past week, joining his global mark in the 100 individual medley from the semifinals.
“That was a really tough swim,” Dressel said. “No matter how you look at it, 48.08 was really fast. How Chad split that was just beautiful. He split it wonderfully. It was a really fun race. I can’t speak highly enough of Chad. I’m a pretty sore loser to be honest, so for him to come over to me after that race and tell me good job….so kudos to Chad. That meant more to me than he knows. I think the difference between this and the previous five weeks was I stopped thinking so much and just kind of went for it.”
Heading into championship weekend, Dressel was expected to push world records in several events, including the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 I.M. There was also chatter about the world mark in the 100 butterfly, but with a season best just under 49 seconds, that record seemed to be the longest shot. Instead, Dressel obliterated what Le Clos produced four years ago.
While Shields went out in 22.38, Dressel was right with Shields, with Le Clos making it a three-man showdown with his opening split of 22.60. The difference was the back half of the race, where Dressel was a half-second faster than Le Clos and clear of Shields by .75. Le Clos ended up finishing second in 48.45 while Shields was timed in 48.47, which was under his previous American record of 48.63.
Race Results:
- 47.78, Caeleb Dressel, Condors
- 48.45, Chad Le Clos, Energy
- 48.47, Tom Shields, Current
- 49.18, Marcin Cieslak, Condors
- 49.74, Marius Kusch, Roar
- 49.86, Vini Lanza, Roar
- 50.55, Maxime Rooney, Current
- 50.64, Kregor Zirk, Energy
World Record Progression (Last 20 Years)
- 47.78, Caeleb Dressel, USA, 2020
- 48.08, Chad Le Clos, RSA, 2016
- 48.44, Chad Le Clos, RSA, 2014
- 48.48, Evgeny Korotyshkin, RUS, 2009
- 48.99, Evgeny Korotyshkin, RUS, 2009
- 49.07, Ian Crocker, USA, 2004
- 49.77, Ian Crocker, USA, 2004
- 50.02, Milorad Čavić, YUG, 2002
- 50.10, Thomas Rupprath, GER, 2002
- 50.26, Thomas Rupprath, GER, 2001
- 50.44, Lars Frolander, SWE, 2000
- 50.59, Lars Frolander, SWE, 2000
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Nice!!
Awesome
Incredible performance. Those who know swimming will be very impressed. His time for the 100 meters Fly (47.78) is equal to a 100 yard time of 43.05!!!
Sam Milburn
Amazing and not the fastest of starts! WOWOWOW
Stroke count by 25’s 5, 6, 6, & home in 7!!