On the second-to-last evening of the 2024 World Swimming Championships, an extraordinary five world records were broken, highlighting an evening of thrilling performances by top athletes.
The 100-meter butterfly world record was broken once more by American Gretchen Walsh, who finished 2024 with a time of 52.71, up from 54.05 at the beginning of the year.
Walsh took advantage of a huge pay day this week in Budapest by breaking her eighth world record of the week at the 2024 World Swimming Championships (25m).
“I’m glad I was able to execute and drop that time every time I got a little better,” Walsh remarked. For me, it really comes down to timing, structure, and all the little nuances. I simply enjoy pushing myself, particularly during the final 25 meters.
Walsh becomes the third American to claim victory in this event at the World Short Course Championships, following in the footsteps of Jenny Thompson (1997, 1999, 2000) and Kelsi Dahlia (2018).
Walsh remarked, “I wasn’t happy with my last 25 last night.” “I made the correction and fixed it. “Getting through these races has becoming increasingly difficult due to the lengthy meet. I am pleased with myself for maintaining my consistency and challenging myself to reach my full potential.
Tessa Giele delivered an exceptional performance with a time of 54.66, earning the silver medal and securing her position as the fifth-fastest swimmer in history for this event, surpassing Walsh.
Australia’s Alexandria Perkins set a new Oceania record with a time of 55.10, narrowly defeating Sweden’s Louise Hansson (55.23), the previous bronze medalist.
The championship final also featured notable swims from Japan’s Mizuki Hirai (55.61), Ireland’s Ellen Walshe (55.68), Australia’s Lily Price (55.82), and Finland’s Laura Lahtinen (56.92).
Noe Ponti breaks Caeleb Dressel’s world record in the men’s 100-meter butterfly
Noe Ponti of Switzerland established the 21st record of the championships with a time of 47.71, breaking his third world mark of the week in Budapest and reducing Caeleb Dressel’s 47.78 from November 2020.
Ponti remarked, “I was hoping for such a quick swim.” “It was breathtaking! Prior to the final, I was not anxious; I simply ran my own race. I will never reveal my plan before a final. My race ought to speak for itself, therefore I don’t want to speak too much or too soon.
Ponti, 23, upset 2023 World champion Maxime Grousset (48.57) of France and Matthew Temple (48.71) to further dominate the competition in Hungary and set a new record in the 50-meter butterfly.
“I’m pleased with that one because it’s my first individual medal at a World Championship,” Temple remarked. “I completed the task, but getting back in the water after the Olympics is never easy. My preparedness for this was aided by participating in the World Cups. Yes, I did.I can’t complain because I gave it my all. I’m motivated to keep going since I’m so close to reaching my best time and winning a medal.
Despite missing the podium at the Olympics in Paris, Ponti has made a big comeback this fall, breaking numerous world records in the 50- and 100-meter butterfly. Ponti profited greatly from his three World Cup victories.
Dare Rose (49.37) and Simone Stefani (49.29) were among the competitors in the championship final of the event.
