FLASH! Noè Ponti Blasts 50 Fly World Record In 21.32 En-Route To Gold
Noè Ponti lowered the 50 fly WR to 21.32 as he sliced 0.11 from his own standard as he became the first Swiss swimmer to claim a global title in the pool at the short-course worlds in Budapest.
Out in 9.74 and back in 11.58, the 23-year-old continued to reinvent the landscape of his event while also claiming his first s/c world gold after two silvers and a bronze across Abu Dhabi 2021 and Melbourne 2022.
Ilya Kharun of Canada was second in an Americas record of 21.67 with Nyls Korstanje of the Netherlands third in 21.68.
Ponti, who ran around on poolside waving a Swiss flag following his victory, told Swimming World: “Amazing! Finally I made it, I couldn’t be happier. Another world record – it wasn’t easy before the race, I was quite nervous but I was able to do what I had to do.”
He added: “It was about the title and I knew that the smallest mistake could cost a lot. I tried my best and I knew the other guys would be right there so I had to do everything perfectly and that’s what I did.”
Ponti spoke to Swimming World in an interview that was published on the eve of Budapest 2024. He insisted that while he may be the fastest right now, “I am not the man for sure.”
Now there is also an added element to it, with Ponti enjoying the gold medal around his neck, something – unlike records – that can never be taken away.
“Right now I am the fastest in history,” he said. “We don’t know in one, two, three years from now but the fastest in history and a world champion and forever a world champion.”
The Swiss had two top-five finishes at Paris 2024 although he felt he hadn’t accomplished what he wanted or what he was capable of. The World Cup – in which he finished second in the men’s overall rankings behind Leon Marchand – and Budapest 2024 came at a good time for Ponti.
“It was a good way to reset and start again and to find new motivations,” he said. “I think I did it well.”
Kharun – who won double fly bronze in Paris – walked through the mixed zone where media gathers absorbed in his medal.
“I was really happy about the performance,” he said. “It was very, very fun to swim it. Ponti is a very strong rival. I am really happy how we both raced. It was a good race to show what I can do for now, but I can definitely show more power in the future.”
Korstanje finished second behind Ponti in the 50 and 100 fly at each of the three stops on the World Cup tour. The Netherlands swimmer said “he (Ponti) was pushing me and I was pushing him.”
Bronze in Budapest was the first medal of his career and he said: “I was just really hopeful before the final. I had my plan and I was sticking to my plan, I do not have an impact on what the rest really does. I am just really glad that I got the top three and the medal!”
