Graphic data for World Record Progression in Men and Women Swimming 50m-100m-200m

This is a history of the progression of the world record for the 200-meter

backstroke Backstroke or back crawl is one of the four swimming styles used in competitive events regulated by FINA, and the only one of these styles swum on the back. This swimming style has the advantage of easy breathing, but the disadvantage of swimme ...

event. It is a listing of the fastest-time-ever swum in the event, in both

long course An Olympic-size swimming pool conforms to regulated dimensions that are large enough for international competition. This type of swimming pool is used in the Olympic Games, where the race course is in length, typically referred to as "long cour ...

(50-meter) and

short course In swimming, the term short course (abbreviated SC) is used to identify a pool that is in length. The term is also often included in meet names when conducted in a short course pool. "Short course" is the second type of pool configuration current ...

(25-meter) swimming pools. These records are maintained/recognized by

FINA FINA (french: Fédération internationale de natation, en, International Swimming Federation, link=yes) (to be renamed as World Aquatics by ) is the international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for administer ...

, which oversees international competitive swimming and aquatics. The long course records are historically older than the short course records; the latter having only been recognized since the early 1990s.

Men

Long course

Old regulations

New regulations

Short course

Women

Long course

Old Regulations

New Regulations

Short course

All-time top 25

Men long course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:55.54: * Ryosuke Irie also swam 1:52.86 (2009), 1:53.26 (2014), 1:53.78 (2012), 1:53.91 (2014), 1:54.02 (2009, 2012), 1:54.03 (2012), 1:54.08 (2011), 1:54.11 (2011), 1:54.13 (2009), 1:54.14 (2009), 1:54.34 (2011), 1:54.54 (2011), 1:54.55 (2011), 1:54.62 (2011, 2015), 1:54.72 (2013), 1:54.77 (2008), 1:54.80 (2012), 1:54.81 (2014, 2015), 1:54.91 (2014), 1:54.93 (2015), 1:54.97 (2014), 1:55.05 (2012), 1:55.07 (2013), 1:55.10 (2014), 1:55.11 (2010, 2011, 2018), 1:55.12 (2018), 1:55.14 (2014), 1:55.20 (2009), 1:55.21 (2010), 1:55.23 (2015), 1:55.35 (2020), 1:55.36 (2015), 1:55.38 (2015), 1:55.39 (2013), 1:55.45 (2010), 1:55.50 (2013), 1:55.51 (2018), 1:55.52 (2021). *

Aaron Peirsol Aaron Wells Peirsol (born July 23, 1983) is an American former competition swimmer and backstroke specialist who is a former world champion and world record-holder. He is a three-time Olympian and seven-time Olympic medalist (five gold, two si ...

also swam 1:53.08 (2009), 1:54.06 (2009), 1:54.32 (2008), 1:54.33 (2008), 1:54.44 (2006), 1:54.66 (2005), 1:54.74 (2004), 1:54.80 (2007), 1:54.95 (2004), 1:55.14 (2004), 1:55.15 (2002), 1:55.26 (2008). * Evgeny Rylov also swam 1:53.27 (2021), 1:53.36 (2018), 1:53.40 (2019), 1:53.61 (2017), 1:53.71 (2018), 1:53.81 (2017), 1:53.97 (2016), 1:54.00 (2019), 1:54.21 (2016), 1:54.45 (2016, 2021), 1:54.46 (2021), 1:54.60 (2015), 1:54.76 (2016), 1:54.96 (2017), 1:55.02 (2016), 1:55.11 (2021), 1:55.34 (2021), 1:55.43 (2016), 1:55.48 (2019), 1:55.50 (2018), 1:55.54 (2015). *

Mitch Larkin Mitchell James Larkin (born 9 July 1993) is an Australian competitive swimmer who specialises in backstroke events. He currently represents the Cali Condors which is part of the International Swimming League. Larkin competed for Australia at t ...

also swam 1:53.34 (2015), 1:53.58 (2015), 1:53.72 (2015), 1:53.80 (2015), 1:53.90 (2016), 1:53.96 (2016), 1:54.29 (2015), 1:54.38 (2021), 1:54.73 (2016), 1:55.03 (2019), 1:55.08 (2016), 1:55.16 (2016), 1:55.26 (2014), 1:55.27 (2014), 1:55.31 (2016), 1:55.38 (2016), 1:55.40 (2018), 1:55.52 (2015). * Ryan Murphy also swam 1:53.62 (2016), 1:53.95 (2016), 1:54.07 (2018), 1:54.12 (2019), 1:54.15 (2018, 2021), 1:54.20 (2021), 1:54.21 (2017), 1:54.30 (2017), 1:54.52 (2022), 1:54.93 (2017), 1:55.00 (2015), 1:55.01 (2022), 1:55.04 (2016), 1:55.10 (2015), 1:55.15 (2016), 1:55.22 (2020), 1:55.38 (2021), 1:55.43 (2022), 1:55.46 (2018). *

Ryan Lochte Ryan Steven Lochte ( ; born August 3, 1984) is an American professional swimmer and 12-time Olympic medalist. Along with Natalie Coughlin, Dara Torres, and Jenny Thompson, he is the second-most decorated swimmer in Olympic history measured by ...

also swam 1:53.79 (2013), 1:53.82 (2009), 1:53.94 (2008, 2012), 1:54.12 (2010), 1:54.21 (2009), 1:54.32 (2007), 1:54.34 (2008), 1:54.54 (2012), 1:55.16 (2013), 1:55.26 (2010), 1:55.39 (2009), 1:55.40 (2008, 2012). *

Xu Jiayu Xu Jiayu (; born 19 August 1995) is a Chinese competitive swimmer who specializes in the backstroke. He is the Olympic Silver medalist ( 2016 Rio de Janeiro) and twice consecutive world champion ( 2017 Budapest and 2019 Gwangju) in the 100 mete ...

also swam 1:54.03 (2017), 1:54.79 (2016, 2017), 1:55.04 (2017), 1:55.05 (2014), 1:55.11 (2014), 1:55.13 (2015), 1:55.16 (2016), 1:55.19 (2016), 1:55.20 (2015), 1:55.24 (2019), 1:55.26 (2017, 2020), 1:55.42 (2017), 1:55.43 (2018), 1:55.51 (2016). *

Tyler Clary Tyler may refer to: People and fictional characters * Tyler (name), an English name; with lists of people with the surname or given name * Tyler, the Creator (born 1991), American rap artist and producer * John Tyler, 10th president of the United ...

also swam 1:54.53 (2009), 1:54.64 (2013), 1:54.69 (2011), 1:54.71 (2012), 1:54.73 (2014), 1:54.88 (2012), 1:54.90 (2010), 1:54.91 (2014), 1:55.16 (2013), 1:55.33 (2016). * Radosław Kawęcki also swam 1:54.55 (2015), 1:55.28 (2012), 1:55.54 (2015). *

Luke Greenbank Luke Greenbank (born 17 September 1997) is an English professional swimmer who specialises in backstroke. A medalist in the 200 metre backstroke at the Olympic Games and the World and European championships, he also swam the first leg in the 201 ...

also swam 1:54.62 (2021), 1:54.63 (2021), 1:54.67 (2021), 1:54.72 (2021), 1:54.98 (2021), 1:55.16 (2022), 1:55.34 (2021). *

Kosuke Hagino is a Japanese former competitive swimmer who specialized in the individual medley and 200 m freestyle. He is a four-time Olympic medalist, most notably winning gold in the 400 m individual medley at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Hagino holds the ...

also swam 1:54.77 (2014), 1:55.12 (2013), 1:55.43 (2013). *

Jacob Pebley Jacob Pebley (born September 17, 1993) is an American competition swimmer who specializes in the backstroke. He will be representing DC Trident in the International Swimming League during the 2020 season. In college, he was an NCAA runner-up ...

also swam 1:54.78 (2017), 1:54.92 (2016), 1:55.06 (2017), 1:55.18 (2016), 1:55.20 (2017), 1:55.52 (2016). * Nick Thoman also swam 1:54.83 (2009). *

Arkady Vyatchanin Arkady Arkadyevich Vyatchanin (russian: Аркадий Аркадьевич Вятча́нин, sr-Cyrl, Аркадиј Аркадјевич Вјатчањин; born 4 April 1984) is a retired Russian, Serbian and American backstroke swimmer. H ...

also swam 1:54.90 (2009), 1:54.93 (2008), 1:55.44 (2006). *

Aschwin Wildeboer Aschwin Wildeboer Faber (born 14 February 1986 in Sabadell, Spain), known as Aschwin Wildeboer, is a Spanish Olympic backstroke swimmer of Dutch origin. Biography His parents, both born and raised in Netherlands, moved to Spain in 1978 and settl ...

also swam 1:54.96 (2009). * Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 1:55.15 (2017), 1:55.49 (2017). *

Stanislav Donets Stanislav Yuryevich Donets (russian: Станисла́в Ю́рьевич Доне́ц; born 7 July 1983) is a Russian swimmer from Dimitrovgrad. He was the world record holder for the 100m backstroke (Short Course). See also * World record ...

also swam 1:55.36 (2009). *

Shaine Casas Shaine Casas (born December 25, 1999) is an American professional swimmer. He is an Americas record holder in the short course 4×50 meter medley relay, swimming the butterfly leg of the relay. At the 2021 World Short Course Championships, he ...

also swam 1:55.46 (2022). *Bryce Mefford also swam 1:55.49 (2021).

Men short course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:49.23: *

also swam 1:46.41 (2009), 1:47.66 (2009), 1:48.69 (2009). * Evgeny Rylov also swam 1:47.02 (2018), 1:47.88 (2021), 1:48.31 (2020), 1:48.62 (2020), 1:48.69 (2020), 1:48.91 (2019), 1:49.22 (2020). *

also swam 1:47.41 (2016), 1:47.72 (2014), 1:48.25 (2018), 1:48.31 (2016), 1:48.35 (2014), 1:48.51 (2018), 1:48.69 (2014), 1:48.78 (2015), 1:48.81 (2016), 1:49.07 (2018), 1:49.15 (2019). * Ryan Murphy also swam 1:47.41 (2020), 1:47.48 (2020), 1:48.03 (2020), 1:48.10 (2021), 1:48.12 (2021), 1:48.40 (2020), 1:48.43 (2021), 1:48.60 (2020), 1:48.73 (2020), 1:48.81 (2020), 1:48.86 (2012). * Radosław Kawęcki also swam 1:47.63 (2013, 2016), 1:47.90 (2020), 1:48.12 (2020), 1:48.20 (2017), 1:48.23 (2020), 1:48.25 (2018), 1:48.32 (2015), 1:48.33 (2015), 1:48.46 (2017, 2021), 1:48.48 (2012), 1:48.51 (2012, 2020, 2020), 1:48.54 (2013), 1:48.68 (2021), 1:48.79 (2020), 1:48.86 (2020), 1:48.93 (2013), 1:48.96 (2017), 1:49.08 (2016), 1:49.13 (2009), 1:49.15 (2011). *

Markus Rogan Markus Antonius Rogan (born 4 May 1982 in Vienna) is a retired Austrian swimmer, who won two silver medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece and a gold medal for 200 m backstroke at the 2008 World Short Course Championships in ...

also swam 1:47.84 (2008), 1:48.14 (2009). *

also swam 1:47.91 (2008), 1:48.20 (2014), 1:48.50 (2012), 1:48.90 (2011), 1:49.05 (2006). * George Du Rand also swam 1:48.05 (2009), 1:48.95 (2009). *

also swam 1:48.81 (2021), 1:48.99 (2022). *

Matt Grevers Matthew Grevers (born March 26, 1985) is an American competition swimmer who competes in the backstroke and freestyle events, and is a six-time Olympic medalist. He has won a total of thirty-three medals in major international competition, fou ...

also swam 1:48.97 (2015). * Christian Diener also swam 1:49.04 (2021), 1:49.14 (2014). * Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 1:49.06 (2020). * Masaki Kaneko also swam 1:49.11 (2017), 1:49.18 (2016). * Ryosuke Irie also swam 1:49.18 (2020). *

also swam 1:49.22 (2008).

Women long course

*Correct as of June 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:06.82: * Regan Smith also swam 2:03.69 (2019), 2:05.65 (2022), 2:05.94 (2020), 2:06.01 (2019), 2:06.16 (2020), 2:06.43 (2018), 2:06.46 (2018), 2:06.47 (2019), 2:06.79 (2021). * Kaylee McKeown also swam 2:04.31 (2021), 2:04.49 (2020), 2:04.64 (2022), 2:04.68 (2021), 2:05.08 (2022), 2:05.16 (2020), 2:05.31 (2022), 2:05.51 (2021), 2:05.55 (2021), 2:05.60 (2022), 2:05.66 (2021), 2:05.83 (2020), 2:05.85 (2022), 2:06.26 (2019), 2:06.35 (2019), 2:06.38 (2020), 2:06.41 (2022), 2:06.76 (2017). *

Missy Franklin Melissa Franklin Johnson (born May 10, 1995) is an American former competition swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist. She formerly held the world record in the 200-meter backstroke (long course). As a member of the U.S. national swim team ...

also swam 2:04.76 (2013), 2:05.10 (2011), 2:05.68 (2013), 2:05.90 (2011), 2:06.12 (2012), 2:06.33 (2013), 2:06.34 (2015), 2:06.46 (2013). * Phoebe Bacon also swam 2:05.12 (2022), 2:05.93 (2022), 2:06.40 (2021), 2:06.46 (2021), 2:06.78 (2022). *

Kirsty Coventry Kirsty Leigh Coventry Seward (born 16 September 1983) is a Zimbabwean swimmer and politician currently serving as the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in the Cabinet of Zimbabwe since September 2018. A former Olympic swimmer and ...

also swam 2:05.24 (2008), 2:05.86 (2009), 2:06.39 (2008), 2:06.72 (2009), 2:06.76 (2008). * Margherita Panziera also swam 2:05.72 (2019), 2:06.08 (2021), 2:06.18 (2018), 2:06.41 (2019), 2:06.59 (2019), 2:06.62 (2019), 2:06.64 (2019), 2:06.67 (2019). * Rhyan White also swam 2:05.73 (2021), 2:06.39 (2021), 2:06.96 (2022). * Emily Seebohm also swam 2:05.81 (2015, 2017), 2:06.17 (2021), 2:06.38 (2021), 2:06.56 (2015), 2:06.59 (2016), 2:06.66 (2017), 2:06.69 (2015), 2:06.82 (2018). * Anastasia Fesikova also swam 2:05.92 (2012), 2:06.59 (2012). * Kylie Masse also swam 2:05.94 (2019), 2:05.97 (2017), 2:05.98 (2018), 2:06.57 (2019), 2:06.62 (2019), 2:06.67 (2021). * Katinka Hosszú also swam 2:06.03 (2016), 2:06.05 (2016), 2:06.09 (2016), 2:06.18 (2015), 2:06.81 (2015). * Margaret Hoelzer also swam 2:06.23 (2008). * Kathleen Baker also swam 2:06.38 (2017), 2:06.43 (2018), 2:06.46 (2020), 2:06.48 (2017), 2:06.66 (2017), 2:06.82 (2017). * Elizabeth Beisel also swam 2:06.39 (2009), 2:06.55 (2012). * Belinda Hocking also swam 2:06.40 (2014), 2:06.49 (2016), 2:06.66 (2013), 2:06.68 (2012). *

Taylor Ruck Taylor Madison Ruck (born May 28, 2000) is a Canadian competitive swimmer. She won two Olympic bronze medals as part of Canada's women's 4×100 metre and 4×200 metre freestyle relay teams at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Ruck wo ...

also swam 2:06.41 (2018), 2:06.42 (2018), 2:06.70 (2019).

Women short course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:01.67: * Minna Atherton also swam 1:59.48 (2019), 2:00.58 (2019), 2:01.59 (2019). * Kaylee McKeown also swam 1:59.48 (2022). * Katinka Hosszú also swam 1:59.75 (2015), 1:59.84 (2015), 1:59.95 (2015), 2:00.05 (2017), 2:00.18 (2017), 2:00.37 (2017), 2:00.52 (2016), 2:00.53 (2017), 2:00.79 (2016), 2:00.85 (2014), 2:01.00 (2018), 2:01.17 (2014), 2:01.24 (2016), 2:01.48 (2016), 2:01.59 (2017), 2:01.60 (2014), 2:01.66 (2016). * Emily Seebohm also swam 1:59.94 (2018), 2:00.13 (2014), 2:00.65 (2017), 2:01.04 (2020), 2:01.13 (2018), 2:01.15 (2017), 2:01.16 (2020), 2:01.37 (2018), 2:01.41 (2017), 2:01.56 (2020), 2:01.58 (2016), 2:01.60 (2018). *

also swam 2:00.14 (2011), 2:01.53 (2015). * Beata Nelson also swam 2:00.33 (2021), 2:00.43 (2022), 2:01.31 (2020), 2:01.65 (2020). * Daryna Zevina also swam 2:00.47 (2016), 2:00.75 (2016), 2:00.81 (2013), 2:00.97 (2016), 2:01.17 (2013), 2:01.25 (2016), 2:01.47 (2013), 2:01.61 (2016), 2:01.62 (2013), 2:01.66 (2013). * Kathleen Baker also swam 2:00.79 (2018), 2:00.85 (2018), 2:01.22 (2019), 2:01.57 (2019). * Elizabeth Simmonds also swam 2:00.91 (2015), 2:01.48 (2009). *

Lisa Bratton Lisa Bratton (born May 5, 1996) is an American professional swimmer for the Canadian based Toronto Titans of the International Swimming League. Bratton won the gold medal in the 200 m backstroke at the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 ...

also swam 2:00.99 (2020), 2:01.00 (2018), 2:01.61 (2020). * Belinda Hocking also swam 2:01.30 (2011). * Belinda Hocking also swam 2:01.30 (2011). * Margherita Panziera also swam 2:01.56 (2018). * Amy Bilquist also swam 2:01.61 (2019).

References

{{World records in swimming Backstroke 200 metres World record progression 200 metres backstroke