Editorial Coverage provided by 
Michael Phelps’ win in the men’s 200 fly at last year’s Olympics might have been his most memorable race of the Rio Games, but he is retired and out of the field for this year’s FINA World Championships.
In his absence, the Hungarian crowd in Budapest will get behind its two hometown favorites defending World and European champion Laszlo Cseh and Olympic bronze medalist Tamas Kenderesi both in the field, while Masato Sakai just missed out on Olympic gold last summer, coming up just four hundredths short of Phelps.
In fact, Hungary is so deep in the men’s 200 fly that the No. 2-ranked swimmer in the world, European Junior Champion Kristof Milak (1:53.79), won’t even race the event in Budapest.
Then there’s Chad Le Clos, the 2012 Olympic champion in the 200 fly. He won two silver medals in Rio, but neither came in the event he still considers his best. Any of these four men could win gold, and it would not be the least bit surprising.
Read below to see what Swimming World’s trio of experts think will happen in Budapest. David Rieder, John Lohn and Andy Ross will each offer their predictions for who will finish on the podium.
Men’s 200 Fly
Current Records:
World Record: Michael Phelps, USA (2009) — 1:51.51
Championship Record: Michael Phelps, USA (2009) — 1:51.51
American Record: Michael Phelps (2009) — 1:51.51
2015 World Champion: Laszlo Cseh, HUN — 1:53.48
2016 Olympic Gold Medalist: Michael Phelps, USA — 1:53.36
2017 World No. 1: Masato Sakai, JPN — 1:53.71
Swimming World Predictions
David Rieder’s Picks:
Gold: Tamas Kenderesi, HUN
Silver: Chad le Clos, RSA
Bronze: Masato Sakai, JPN
John Lohn’s Picks:
Gold: Chad le Clos, RSA
Silver: Tamas Kenderesi, HUN
Bronze: Masato Sakai, JPN
Andy Ross’ Picks:
Gold: Masato Sakai, JPN
Silver: Tamas Kenderesi, HUN
Bronze: Chad le Clos, RSA
Previous Events
Day One:
Day Two:
Day Three:
Day Four:
- FINA CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE
- ULTIMATE SCHEDULE GUIDE
- QUALIFIED HIGH DIVERS
- MEDAL TABLE
- 2015 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
- LIVE RESULTS
- OPEN WATER LIVE RESULTS
- PSYCH SHEET
- DAY EIGHT FINALS HEAT SHEETS
- DAY ONE PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY ONE FINALS RESULTS
- DAY TWO PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY TWO FINALS RESULTS
- DAY THREE PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY THREE FINALS RESULTS
- DAY FOUR PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY FOUR FINALS RESULTS
- DAY FIVE PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY FIVE FINALS RESULTS
- DAY SIX PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY SIX FINALS RESULTS
- DAY SEVEN PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY SEVEN FINALS RESULTS
- DAY EIGHT PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY EIGHT FINALS RESULTS
This is tough so unpredictable Joe Stott I think some random our of nowhere guy will win le clos silver
Schooling may be a surprise medallist in this event.
He would be happy for swimming in the final.
Unless he only swims one event, the 100 Fly, so he can retribution on a tired Caleb Dressel.
Schooling could definitely surprise. Word on the street is he’s in much better shape than he was during college season, and he will swim the 200 fly this year.
certainly a unique event in swimminmg
Cillian Melly
17 year old will school them