BUDAPEST – Gretchen Walsh continues to make history at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m), setting a new world record in the Women’s 100m Butterfly with an electrifying time of 53.24 during the Day 4 morning prelims.
Competing in her first World Championships in the 25m pool, the 21-year-old American has already claimed five world records and three gold medals in Budapest. Walsh broke the previous mark of 54.05 set by Canada’s Margaret Mac Neil at the 2022 Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
Speaking to World Aquatics after her record-breaking swim, Walsh reflected on her achievement and hinted at even greater goals for the evening final.
“Now that I’ve set my best time, I definitely think I can try to go sub-52 tonight,” Walsh said. “I looked at the record before my swim, and I didn’t know where I would stand, but I think I broke it by over 0.80 seconds, which is crazy.”
Walsh added: “I need to talk to my coach, Todd [DeSorbo], to see if we’ll make any changes for tonight. I think I’m faster at night anyway, so I’m hoping to get under that time.”
Walsh’s latest feat adds to her growing list of accomplishments at these Championships. Notably, three of her world records have come in non-final races.
Her historic run at the Duna Arena began with a world record in the Women’s 50m Butterfly heats on Day 1, followed by a gold and world record in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay, another world record in the Women’s 50m Butterfly semifinals, and a record-setting performance in the Women’s 100m Individual Medley final.