The swim cut 0.08 seconds from the 22.83 she posted in the final at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) 2024 in Budapest, where she also swam a World Record-breaking time of 22.87 in the semi-finals. 

Reflecting on her latest record-breaking performance, and looking ahead to the highly anticipated World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) 2026 in Beijing later this year, she said “My swims from this meet give me a lot of confidence heading into Worlds. I’m so excited to build on these performances and keep getting better.  

“It feels really good to already feel like my hard work is paying off and will continue to pay off the rest of this short course season,” she added. 

Walsh was also quick to credit the support from the spectators in attendance in helping her beat her previous best. 

“I love competing at UVA in front of a home crowd. I believe a huge part of my races and the World Record was a product of the energy from the fans and support I received all meet.”
By Gretchen Walsh

This latest milestone lays down a formidable marker for Walsh’s rivals as Beijing preparations intensify. 

Walsh broke an astonishing 11 World Records at the last World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Budapest in 2024, including nine in individual races. 

Those feats saw Walsh named the best female swimmer in Budapest and the 23-year-old has since continued to break new ground in short course swimming. 

“It really works for me,” said Walsh about short-course in Budapest. “I'm just happy to prove to myself that I'm capable of doing stuff like this.” 

The U.S. Trials for the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) take place from 28-31 October in Westmont, Illinois. 

The World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Beijing will take place from 1-6 December.