We are 5 days away from the start of this year's World Aquatics championships. For the first time in history, this event will take place for three consecutive years, instead of its usual every-other-year schedule. This is because of a backlog of postponed events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While some have said the swimming calendar is overcrowded, I am lapping it up!
Nothing excites me more than fast and swimming I wanted to talk about which events may see the World Record broken over the coming couple of weeks....
50 Free
On the men's side, there is no chance. While I am extremely excited about the scrap that is about to happen between Cam, Flo and Ben (I am sure others will feature), I don't think anyone will be knocking on the 21-second barrier.
In the women's race, I do however think it's possible. The WR holder herself, Sarah Sjoestrom, is in the race and she's looked in tip-top form this season going 23 already on multiple occasions. While it's no lock, I wouldn't be surprised to see this one go down!
100 Free
I think the 100 free is the other way round to the 50 free. On the men's side, you have the WR holder, David Popovici, who is a year older and wiser. How could that record not be on? On the women's side, we have what will possibly be one of the tightest races of the meet, between Siobhan, Emma and Mollie but I just don't see anyone getting under 51.7!
200 Free
I honestly think if the race is taken out quickly, between Summer, Siobhan, Mollie and Ariarne, this could broken by more than one girl!
No one is getting the men's WR.
400 Free
If I was a betting man I would say the women's 400 free WR is broken. I would also say it will be broken by Summer, no one else.
The men's will not be touched.
800 Free
With Katie having such a great swim at trials, it looks like she could be nearing her best in this event. That being said I don't think either of the 800 Free World Records get broken.
1500 Free
For the first time in history, I think someone will swim under 14:30 and just like with the women's 200 free, there is a chance the WR is surpassed by more than one swimmer. We already know Wellbrock is on form, winning both the 5 & 10km open water events and he will be locked into a close race with Wiffen, Finke and Paltrinieri.
On the lady's side, it is just Katie against the clock, this WR was set in season so who knows, maybe she breaks it?
50 Fly/100 Fly/200 Fly
No Dressel, no Milak, no World Records in the fly events, both for men and women.
Womens Backstroke
Hear me out here, but I think the 50, 100 and 200m Backstroke world records for women are broken. I don't know who by, it could be Berkoff on the 50, Regan on the 100 and Kaylee on the 200, but I think they are all taken down. We have the best women's backstrokers in history, on form, going head to head....
Mens Backstroke
In the 50 & 100 we could see some magic, quite literally! We have the WR holders in action with Hunter and Ceccon respectively and both have been building all season for a big swim, maybe that swim will lower their own WR in Fukoaka? The 200 however, is perhaps the most out-of-sight record of the championships.
Mens 50/100 Breast
Take away Peaty and Ilya, you take away a WR possibility.
Mens 200 Breast
Will this be a good race? Yes. Are swimmers in the field capable of the WR? Yes. Will the WR be broken? Only if Leon Marchand starts in this event!
Womens 50/100 Breast
The American Lily and Lydia seem to be at their best and when that's the case a WR is always possible. Ruta is back in business which adds to the heat and Pilato who has been quiet all year will only race the 50. Throw Lara into the mix and who knows what will happen. I think the 50 has more chance of being broken than the 100.
Women's Medley
I think we see them both taken down. Kate takes the 200, Summer the 400.
Mens Medley
Neither gets broken. The 200 is safe, the 400 could be taken by Leon, but it is far from a sure thing.
Prediction
With all the above being said, here is my actual prediction for World Records to be broken.
Womens 200 Free
Womens 400 IM
Womens 200 IM
Womens 400 IM
Mens 1500 Free
Womens 50 Back
Womens 100 Back
Womens 200 Back
Mens 200 Breast (if Leon Swims)
Of course, these are all just my guesses. There is as much chance I am completely wrong as I am completely right. Most of the time, come the big meets, fewer world records are broken than we anticipate because pressure builds up. As a swimming fan, I would love to see as many as possible! Let me know in the comments what WRs you think will be broken!