Sarah Sjöström, the dominant force in 50m butterfly swimming for the past decade, acknowledges the emergence of a formidable challenger in Gretchen Walsh. Sjöström, the only swimmer to have broken the 25-second barrier in the non-Olympic event, and a six-time consecutive world champion, believes Walsh is poised to become the second swimmer to achieve this feat. Sjöström’s prediction stems from witnessing Walsh’s exceptional underwater speed and technique, which she describes as the most powerful she has ever seen, potentially surpassing even male swimmers. While acknowledging Walsh’s dedicated training, Sjöström also credits a unique anatomical advantage in her spine, enabling her exceptional underwater propulsion, a characteristic Sjöström herself admits to lacking.
Walsh, a 21-year-old American swimmer, has already made her mark by breaking Sjöström’s world record in the 100m butterfly in June 2024, lowering it from 55.48 seconds to 55.18 seconds. She continued her record-breaking streak at the short course World Championships in Budapest, shattering Therese Alshammar’s 15-year-old world record in the 50m butterfly during the heats, clocking in at 24.02 seconds. Remarkably, she further improved her time in the semi-finals, becoming the first woman to swim under 24 seconds with a new world record of 23.94. This impressive performance solidified Walsh’s position as a major contender in the world of swimming and confirmed Sjöström’s assessment of her potential.
Sjöström, while taking a break from competition following her double gold medal wins at the Paris Olympics, is closely following the short course World Championships from home. She notes the surge in world records broken during the initial days of the competition, attributing it to the post-Olympic training cycle. Athletes, having trained intensely for the Olympics, often reduce their training load afterwards, leading to a delayed peak in form during the short course season. Sjöström highlights the achievements of other standout swimmers, including Canadian Summer McIntosh, whose world record in the 400m freestyle impressed with her technical finesse, and American Kate Douglass, who set a world record in the 200m individual medley, showcasing her versatility across different strokes.
The Budapest championships, held in the Duna Arena where Sjöström has achieved numerous victories and world records, hold a special significance for her. However, this time, she observes the action from afar, analyzing the performances and identifying emerging talents. While impressed by several swimmers, she reserves her highest praise for Walsh, whose underwater kick she deems unparalleled. Sjöström humorously remarks that a combination of her own peak performance and Walsh’s underwater speed would have resulted in an incredibly fast time, highlighting the unique strengths of both swimmers.
Walsh’s dominance in the short course championships marks her first foray into this level of competition. Unlike many American swimmers who traditionally focus on yards during the short course season, Walsh’s participation in the World Championships signifies a shift in approach. Her impressive performance in the 100m freestyle, setting a championship record in the semi-finals, further cemented her status as a rising star. This debut performance suggests a promising future for Walsh on the international stage and signifies a potential shift in the landscape of women’s swimming, with Sjöström recognizing her as a worthy successor and a force to be reckoned with.
The short course World Championships serve as a platform for swimmers to showcase their abilities and establish themselves as contenders for future major competitions. Walsh’s record-breaking performances, coupled with Sjöström’s endorsement, indicate a new era in women’s swimming, with a potential rivalry between the established champion and the emerging prodigy. Sjöström’s acknowledgement of Walsh’s exceptional talent, while highlighting her own unique strengths, suggests a gracious passing of the torch and a respect for the evolution of the sport. The coming years promise an exciting chapter in swimming history as these two exceptional athletes potentially compete for dominance in the pool.
