This is a history of the 100 m

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 swimm ...

world record A world record is usually the best global and most important performance that is ever recorded and officially verified in a specific skill, sport, or other kind of activity. The book ''Guinness World Records'' and other world records organization ...

as swum in both long-course (50 m; Olympic) pools and short-course (25 m) pools—the two categories recognized/tracked 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 ...

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

Men

Long course

Short course

Women

Long course

Short course

All-time top 25

Men long course

*Correct as of June 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 52.76: *

Thomas Ceccon Thomas Ceccon (born 27 January 2001) is an Italian swimmer. He is a world record holder in the long course 100 metre backstroke and the short course 4×100 metre freestyle relay. He is also the Italian record holder in the long course 50 metre ...

also swam 51.93 (2022), 52.12 (2022), 52.21 (2022), 52.30 (2021), 52.49 (2021), 52.52 (2021). * Ryan Murphy also swam 51.94 (2018), 51.97 (2016, 2022), 52.19 (2018, 2021), 52.22 (2021), 52.24 (2021), 52.26 (2016), 52.28 (2016), 52.31 (2021), 52.33 (2021), 52.44 (2019), 52.46 (2022), 52.49 (2016), 52.51 (2018, 2022), 52.59 (2017), 52.69 (2017), 52.70 (2018), 52.76 (2016). *

Evgeny Rylov Evgeny Mikhailovich Rylov ( rus, Евгений Михайлович Рылов, , ɪ̯ɪvˈɡʲenʲɪɪ̯ ˈrɨɫəf; born 23 September 1996) is a Russian competitive swimmer and Olympic champion specializing in backstroke events. He won three ...

also swam 52.12 (2021), 52.44 (2019), 52.57 (2019), 52.66 (2018), 52.67 (2018, 2019), 52.74 (2016, 2018, 2021). *

Kliment Kolesnikov Kliment Andreyevich Kolesnikov ( rus, Климент Андреевич Колесников, , klʲɪˈmʲent kɐˈlʲesʲnʲɪkəf; born 9 July 2000) is a Russian swimmer. He holds world junior records in eight events: 50/100/200 back in lon ...

also swam 52.13 (2021), 52.15 (2021), 52.24 (2021), 52.29 (2021), 52.32 (2021), 52.42 (2021), 52.44 (2021), 52.53 (2018), 52.63 (2021). *

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 52.16 (2012), 52.26 (2017), 52.48 (2017), 52.54 (2015), 52.55 (2015), 52.58 (2012), 52.64 (2016), 52.66 (2012, 2015), 52.71 (2017), 52.73 (2015), 52.75 (2015), 52.76 (2016). *

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 52.17 (2019), 52.27 (2019), 52.31 (2016), 52.34 (2014, 2018), 52.35 (2021), 52.37 (2020), 52.43 (2019), 52.44 (2017, 2017), 52.51 (2021), 52.60 (2017, 2018, 2020), 52.70 (2021), 52.72 (2018), 52.73 (2016). *

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 52.19 (2009), 52.54 (2008). *

Hunter Armstrong Joseph Hunter Armstrong (born January 24, 2001) is an American swimmer. He is the world record holder in the long course 50 meter backstroke. At the 2022 World Aquatics Championships, he won a silver medal in the 50 meter backstroke, a bronze m ...

also swam 52.20 (2022), 52.37 (2022), 52.48 (2021), 52.67 (2021). *

Apostolos Christou Apostolos Christou ( gr, Απόστολος Χρήστου; born 1 November 1996) is a Greek swimmer. He competed for Greece at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, i ...

also swam 52.24 (2022), 52.57 (2022). *

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 th ...

also swam 52.26 (2015), 52.37 (2015), 52.38 (2015, 2019), 52.40 (2015), 52.41 (2015), 52.43 (2016), 52.48 (2015), 52.50 (2015), 52.54 (2016), 52.70 (2016), 52.75 (2020), 52.76 (2021). * David Plummer also swam 52.28 (2016), 52.40 (2016, 2016), 52.50 (2016), 52.51 (2016), 52.70 (2016). *

Ryosuke Irie is a Japanese competitive swimmer who competes in backstroke events. He is a Kindai University student in Osaka. He won a silver medal in the 200 metre backstroke and a bronze in the 100 metre backstroke at the 2012 Summer Olympics, along wit ...

also swam 52.34 (2014), 52.45 (2014), 52.50 (2009), 52.53 (2018, 2018), 52.56 (2009), 52.57 (2014), 52.59 (2020), 52.60 (2009), 52.61 (2018), 52.73 (2009, 2009), 52.75 (2009). *

Junya Koga is a Japanese backstroke swimmer. He is a Waseda University student in Tokyo. In May 2009, he set the Japanese records in the 50 m and 100 m backstrokes at the 2009 Japan Championships, qualifying for Japan's team to the 2009 World C ...

also swam 52.39 (2009). *

Camille Lacourt Camille Lacourt (; born 22 April 1985) is a retired French competitive swimmer and backstroke specialist. He won the 50 metre backstroke at three consecutive world championships ( 2013 Barcelona, 2015 Kazan, and 2017 Budapest). He competed at t ...

also swam 52.44 (2011), 52.46 (2010), 52.48 (2015), 52.58 (2010), 52.70 (2015, 2016), 52.72 (2016), 52.75 (2012), 52.76 (2011). *

Helge Meeuw Helge Folkert Meeuw (born 29 August 1984 from Wiesbaden, West Germany) is an Olympic and national record holding swimmer from Germany. He swam for Germany at the: *Olympics: 2004, 2008, 2012 *World Championships: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 *E ...

also swam 52.46 (2009), 52.49 (2009), 52.54 (2009). *

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 52.64 (2009), 52.70 (2009), 52.76 (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 52.72 (2019), 52.76 (2021). * Yohann Ndoye Brouard also swam 52.72 (2022). * Ksawery Masiuk also swam 52.75 (2022).

Men short course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 49.65: *

also swam 48.82 (2020), 48.90 (2017), 49.13 (2021), 49.46 (2021), 49.47 (2021), 49.57 (2021). *

also swam 48.94 (2021), 48.98 (2021), 49.58 (2021). *

Coleman Stewart Coleman Stewart (born March 3, 1998) is an American swimmer. He is the current world record holder in the short course 100 meter backstroke. At the 2019 World University Games, he won a gold medal as part of the 4×100 metre medley relay, sw ...

also swam 49.13 (2021), 49.62 (2021). * Ryan Murphy also swam 49.23 (2018), 49.29 (2020), 49.36 (2020), 49.49 (2021), 49.51 (2021), 49.61 (2021). *

also swam 49.23 (2021), 49.40 (2022), 49.54 (2022), 49.57 (2021). *

Guilherme Guido Guilherme Augusto Guido (born 12 February 1987) is a Brazilian backstroke swimmer who specializes in sprint events. He was twice a finalist in the 100 metre backstroke at World Championships When Guido was young, he was a big rival of César Cie ...

also swam 49.29 (2021), 49.39 (2021), 49.40 (2020), 49.45 (2021), 49.59 (2020). *

Lorenzo Mora Lorenzo Mora (born 30 September 1998) is a competitive Italian swimmer. He is a world record holder in the short course 4×50 metre medley relay. He is the Italian record holder in the short course 100 metre backstroke and 200 metre backstrok ...

also swam 49.37 (2022). * Mark Nikolaev also swam 49.40 (2021), 49.43 (2021), 49.65 (2021). *

Robert Glință Robert Andrei Glință (; born 18 April 1997) is the Romanian record holder in the long course and short course 50 metre backstroke and 100 metre backstroke. He is a former junior world record holder for 100 metre backstroke (short course), wit ...

also swam 49.60 (2021).

Women long course

*Correct as of June 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 58.92: *

Kaylee McKeown Kaylee Rochelle McKeown (born 12 July 2001) is an Australian swimmer and triple Olympic gold medalist. She is a world record holder in the long course 100 metre backstroke and the short course 200 metre backstroke.Hanson, Ian (27 November 20 ...

also swam 57.47 (2021), 57.63 (2021), 57.88 (2021), 57.93 (2020), 58.01 (2021), 58.11 (2020, 2021), 58.14 (2021), 58.31 (2022), 58.35 (2022), 58.42 (2021), 58.49 (2022), 58.52 (2020), 58.57 (2021), 58.60 (2021, 2022), 58.66 (2022), 58.69 (2021), 58.73 (2022), 58.77 (2022), 58.79 (2022), 58.84 (2020). * Regan Smith also swam 57.65 (2022), 57.76 (2022), 57.86 (2021), 57.92 (2021), 57.96 (2021), 58.05 (2021, 2021), 58.18 (2020), 58.22 (2022), 58.26 (2020), 58.29 (2022), 58.31 (2022), 58.35 (2021, 2021), 58.40 (2022), 58.45 (2019), 58.55 (2019), 58.65 (2022), 58.68 (2019), 58.69 (2021), 58.77 (2021), 58.79 (2020), 58.81 (2021), 58.82 (2019), 58.83 (2018). *

Kylie Masse Kylie Jacqueline Masse (born January 18, 1996) is a Canadian competitive swimmer. She is a four-time Olympic medallist, having tied for the bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 100 m backstroke and then won silver medals at the 202 ...

also swam 57.72 (2021), 57.90 (2021), 58.09 (2021), 58.10 (2017), 58.13 (2021), 58.16 (2019), 58.17 (2021), 58.18 (2017), 58.19 (2019), 58.21 (2017), 58.29 (2018), 58.31 (2017), 58.39 (2022), 58.40 (2022), 58.41 (2022), 58.42 (2017), 58.48 (2021, 2022), 58.50 (2019), 58.54 (2018), 58.57 (2022, 2022), 58.60 (2019), 58.61 (2018), 58.62 (2017), 58.63 (2018, 2018), 58.66 (2016, 2018), 58.70 (2018), 58.73 (2022), 58.76 (2016), 58.77 (2016), 58.83 (2022), 58.86 (2017), 58.89 (2022), 58.91 (2019). * Kathleen Dawson also swam 58.18 (2021), 58.24 (2021), 58.44 (2021), 58.49 (2021), 58.56 (2021), 58.65 (2021), 58.69 (2021), 58.70 (2021). *

Emily Seebohm Emily Jane Seebohm, OAM (born 5 June 1992) is an Australian swimmer and television personality. She has appeared at four Olympic Games between 2008 and 2021; and won three Olympic gold medals, five world championship gold medals and seven Comm ...

also swam 58.26 (2015), 58.34 (2015), 58.37 (2015), 58.39 (2012), 58.45 (2021), 58.51 (2015), 58.53 (2017), 58.56 (2015), 58.57 (2012), 58.59 (2015, 2017, 2021, 2021), 58.62 (2017), 58.66 (2018), 58.68 (2012), 58.70 (2015), 58.72 (2015, 2018), 58.73 (2016), 58.79 (2013, 2018), 58.81 (2015), 58.83 (2016), 58.84 (2014), 58.85 (2017), 58.86 (2021), 58.88 (2009, 2015, 2015), 58.89 (2015), 58.90 (2015, 2018), 58.91 (2015, 2015, 2018), 58.92 (2014). *

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 58.39 (2013), 58.42 (2013), 58.50 (2012), 58.67 (2013), 58.85 (2012). *

Kathleen Baker Kathleen Baker (born February 28, 1997) is an American competition swimming (sport), swimmer who specializes in freestyle swimming, freestyle and backstroke swimming, backstroke events. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, she won a gold medal in the Sw ...

also swam 58.41 (2018), 58.54 (2017), 58.56 (2020), 58.57 (2017), 58.58 (2017), 58.75 (2016), 58.77 (2018), 58.83 (2018), 58.84 (2016, 2016). * Rhyan White also swam 58.46 (2021), 58.59 (2022), 58.60 (2021), 58.88 (2021). *

Anastasia Fesikova Anastasia Valeryevna Fesikova (russian: Анастасия Валерьевна Фесикова; born 8 May 1990), née Anastasia Zuyeva, is a Russian Swimming (sport), swimmer who holds the Russian List of Russian records in swimming, national r ...

also swam 58.48 (2009), 58.83 (2017). *

Olivia Smoliga Olivia Smoliga (born October 12, 1994) is an American competitive swimmer who specializes in backstroke and freestyle events. She won a record eight gold medals at the 2018 World Championships, becoming the first swimmer, male or female, to win ...

also swam 58.50 (2021), 58.72 (2021), 58.73 (2019), 58.75 (2018), 58.77 (2017), 58.79 (2019), 58.91 (2019). *

Katharine Berkoff Katharine Berkoff (born January 28, 2001) is an American Swimming (sport), swimmer who won four medals at the Swimming at the World Aquatics Championships, World Championships. Career Early career Berkoff was born in 2001. She is the daughter o ...

also swam 58.62 (2021), 58.82 (2021), 58.88 (2021). *

Claire Curzan Claire Curzan (born June 30, 2004) is an American swimmer. She is a world junior record holder in the long course 50 meter freestyle and 100 meter butterfly and the short course 50 meter butterfly and 100 meter butterfly. She is an American re ...

also swam 58.67 (2022), 58.73 (2022), 58.82 (2021). *

Kira Toussaint Kira Marije Toussaint (born 22 May 1994) is a Dutch competitive swimmer who specialises in backstroke. She is the former world record holder in the short course 50 metre backstroke and the Dutch record holder in the long course 50 metre backst ...

also swam 58.73 (2021), 58.74 (2021), 58.91 (2020). *

Gemma Spofforth Gemma Mary Spofforth (born 17 November 1987) is an English former competition swimmer who represented Great Britain in the Olympics, FINA world championships and European championships, and England in the Commonwealth Games. Spofforth is the f ...

also swam 58.74 (2009), 58.78 (2009). *

Mie Nielsen Mie Østergaard Nielsen (born 25 September 1996) is a Danish former competitive swimmer who holds the Danish record in several backstroke events. Career Nielsen won her first international senior medals at the 2011 European Short Course Swimming ...

also swam 58.75 (2016), 58.80 (2016), 58.84 (2015), 58.86 (2015). *

Fu Yuanhui Fu Yuanhui (; born January 7, 1996) is a Chinese competitive swimmer who specializes in backstroke. She won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 100-meter backstroke. Early life On January 7, 1996, Fu was born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ...

also swam 58.76 (2016). * Katinka Hosszu also swam 58.78 (2015), 58.80 (2017). * Aya Terakawa also swam 58.83 (2012), 58.84 (2013). *

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 58.83 (2019). *

Minna Atherton Minna Atherton (born 17 May 2000) is an Australian competitive swimmer who won the gold medals in the 100- and 200-metre backstroke events at the 2015 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Singapore. She tied the junior world record (hel ...

also swam 58.85 (2019). * Phoebe Bacon also swam 58.86 (2020).

Women short course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 55.97: *

also swam 55.09 (2019), 55.12 (2019), 55.29 (2019), 55.35 (2019), 55.43 (2019), 55.45 (2019), 55.55 (2019). *

also swam 55.26 (2019), 55.42 (2021), 55.53 (2021), 55.58 (2019), 55.68 (2020), 55.71 (2019), 55.72 (2021), 55.74 (2019), 55.76 (2021), 55.79 (2021), 55.90 (2020), 55.92 (2018), 55.94 (2020), 55.95 (2021). *

Katinka Hosszú Katinka Hosszú (; born 3 May 1989) is a Hungarian competitive swimmer specialized in individual medley events. She is a three-time Olympic champion and a nine-time long-course world champion. She is owner of a Budapest based swim school and swi ...

also swam 55.34 (2014), 55.38 (2014), 55.42 (2015), 55.52 (2017), 55.54 (2016), 55.56 (2014), 55.59 (2016), 55.60 (2016), 55.65 (2017), 55.66 (2017), 55.70 (2014), 55.71 (2015), 55.77 (2014), 55.80 (2016), 55.93 (2016)). *

also swam 55.46 (2015), 55.47 (2014), 55.81 (2018). *

also swam 55.47 (2018), 55.60 (2020), 55.62 (2020), 55.66 (2020), 55.86 (2018), 55.92 (2020), 55.97 (2019). *

Ingrid Wilm Ingrid Wilm (born 8 June 1998) is a Canadian swimmer, specializing in the backstroke. Career She competed in the women's 50 metre backstroke event at the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m), in Hangzhou, China. Ingrid Wilm swam fo ...

also swam 55.68 (2021), 55.74 (2022), 55.92 (2022), 55.94 (2021). *

Gao Chang Gao Chang (born January 29, 1987 in Jinan, Shandong, China) is a Chinese swimmer, who competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics and who was a part of China's 2008 Olympic Team. She was part of the Chinese 4 x 100 m medley relay team at the 2012 Sum ...

also swam 55.72 (2009). *

also swam 55.76 (2021), 55.83 (2021), 55.95 (2021). *

Mollie O'Callaghan Mollie Grace O'Callaghan, (born 2 April 2004) is an Australian swimmer. She competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics. O'Callaghan swam on the first night of racing in the heats of the women's freestyle. She ended up winning 2 gold medals and a bro ...

also swam 55.80 (2022). *

also swam 55.81 (2022). *

Louise Hansson Louise Maria Hansson (born 24 November 1996) is a Swedish competitive swimmer, a member of Helsingborgs SS. Career International Swimming League In spring 2020 Hansson signed for the Toronto Titans, the first Canadian based team in the ...

also swam 55.85 (2021), 55.89 (2022). *

Beata Nelson Beata Nelson is an American swimmer Swimming is an individual or team racing sport that requires the use of one's entire body to move through water. The sport takes place in pools or open water (e.g., in a sea or lake). Competitive swim ...

also swam 55.90 (2022). *

also swam 55.92 (2021). *

Natalie Coughlin Natalie Anne Coughlin Hall (born August 23, 1982) is an American former competition swimmer and twelve-time Olympic medalist. While attending the University of California, Berkeley, she became the first woman ever to swim the 100-meter backstro ...

also swam 55.97 (2011).

References

{{World records in swimming Backstroke 100 metres World record progression 100 metres backstroke