World record progression 200 metres backstroke

Graphs of the progression of the World Records in all four strokes (50 m, 100 m and 200 m distances) until 2010.

This is a history of the progression of the world record for the 200-meter backstroke event. It is a listing of the fastest-time-ever swum in the event, in both long course (50-meter) and short course (25-meter) swimming pools. These records are maintained/recognized by FINA, which oversees international competitive swimming and aquatics.

The long course records are historically older than the short course records; the latter having only been recognized since the early 1990s.

Men

Long course

Old regulations

New regulations

Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; tt – time trial

Short course

Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; tt – time trial

Women

Long course

Old Regulations

New Regulations

Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; tt – time trial

Short course

Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; tt – time trial

All-time top 25

Men long course

• Correct as of June 2024^[25]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:55.35:

• Ryosuke Irie also swam 1:52.86 (2009), 1:53.26 (2014), 1:53.73 (2009), 1:53.78 (2012), 1:53.91 (2014), 1:54.02 (2009, 2012), 1:54.03 (2012), 1:54.08 (2011), 1:54.09 (2009), 1:54.11 (2011), 1:54.13 (2009), 1:54.14 (2009), 1:54.34 (2011), 1:54.36 (2009), 1:54.54 (2011), 1:54.55 (2011), 1:54.62 (2011, 2015), 1:54.63 (2014), 1:54.72 (2013), 1:54.74 (2009), 1:54.77 (2008), 1:54.80 (2012), 1:54.81 (2014, 2015), 1:54.91 (2014), 1:54.93 (2015), 1:54.97 (2014), 1:55.05 (2012), 1:55.07 (2013), 1:55.10 (2014), 1:55.11 (2018), 1:55.12 (2018), 1:55.14 (2014), 1:55.20 (2009), 1:55.21 (2010), 1:55.23 (2015), 1:55.35 (2020).
• Aaron Peirsol also swam 1:53.08 (2009), 1:54.06 (2009), 1:54.32 (2008), 1:54.33 (2008), 1:54.44 (2006), 1:54.66 (2005), 1:54.74 (2004), 1:54.77 (2007), 1:54.80 (2007), 1:54.95 (2004), 1:55.13 (2005), 1:55.14 (2004), 1:55.15 (2002), 1:55.26 (2008), 1:55.33 (2004).
• Evgeny Rylov also swam 1:53.27 (2021), 1:53.36 (2018), 1:53.40 (2019), 1:53.61 (2017), 1:53.71 (2018), 1:53.81 (2017), 1:53.97 (2016), 1:54.00 (2019), 1:54.21 (2016), 1:54.45 (2016, 2021), 1:54.46 (2021), 1:54.60 (2015), 1:54.76 (2016), 1:54.96 (2017), 1:55.02 (2016), 1:55.11 (2021), 1:55.34 (2021).
• Mitch Larkin also swam 1:53.34 (2015), 1:53.58 (2015), 1:53.72 (2015), 1:53.80 (2015), 1:53.90 (2016), 1:53.96 (2016), 1:54.29 (2015), 1:54.38 (2021), 1:54.68 (2016), 1:54.73 (2016), 1:55.03 (2019), 1:55.08 (2016), 1:55.16 (2016), 1:55.26 (2014), 1:55.27 (2014), 1:55.31 (2016).
• Ryan Murphy also swam 1:53.62 (2016), 1:53.95 (2016), 1:54.07 (2018), 1:54.12 (2019), 1:54.15 (2018, 2021), 1:54.20 (2021), 1:54.21 (2017), 1:54.30 (2017), 1:54.33 (2024), 1:54.52 (2022), 1:54.83 (2023), 1:54.93 (2017), 1:54.94 (2016), 1:55.00 (2015), 1:55.01 (2022), 1:55.03 (2023), 1:55.04 (2016), 1:55.10 (2015), 1:55.15 (2016), 1:55.22 (2020).
• Ryan Lochte also swam 1:53.79 (2013), 1:53.82 (2009), 1:53.94 (2008, 2012), 1:54.12 (2010), 1:54.21 (2009), 1:54.32 (2007), 1:54.34 (2008), 1:54.54 (2012), 1:55.16 (2013), 1:55.26 (2010).
• Xu Jiayu also swam 1:54.03 (2017), 1:54.79 (2016, 2017), 1:55.04 (2017), 1:55.05 (2014), 1:55.11 (2014), 1:55.13 (2015), 1:55.16 (2016), 1:55.19 (2016), 1:55.20 (2015), 1:55.24 (2019), 1:55.26 (2017, 2020).
• Tyler Clary also swam 1:54.53 (2009), 1:54.64 (2013), 1:54.69 (2011), 1:54.71 (2012), 1:54.73 (2014), 1:54.88 (2012), 1:54.90 (2010), 1:54.91 (2014), 1:55.16 (2013), 1:55.33 (2016).
• Radosław Kawęcki also swam 1:54.55 (2015), 1:55.28 (2012).
• Luke Greenbank also swam 1:54.62 (2021), 1:54.63 (2021), 1:54.67 (2021), 1:54.72 (2021), 1:54.98 (2021), 1:55.16 (2022), 1:55.34 (2021).
• Kosuke Hagino also swam 1:54.77 (2014), 1:55.12 (2013).
• Jacob Pebley also swam 1:54.78 (2017), 1:54.92 (2016), 1:55.06 (2017), 1:55.18 (2016), 1:55.20 (2017).
• Nick Thoman also swam 1:54.83 (2009).
• Arkady Vyatchanin also swam 1:54.90 (2009), 1:54.93 (2008), 1:55.30 (2014), 1:55.33 (2014).
• Aschwin Wildeboer also swam 1:54.96 (2009).
• Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 1:55.15 (2017).
• Michael Phelps also swam 1:55.30 (2004).
• Hugo González also swam 1:55.30 (2024).

Men short course

• Correct as of December 2023^[34]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:49.22:

• Arkady Vyatchanin also swam 1:46.41 (2009), 1:47.66 (2009), 1:48.69 (2009).
• Evgeny Rylov also swam 1:47.02 (2018), 1:47.88 (2021), 1:48.31 (2020), 1:48.62 (2020), 1:48.69 (2020), 1:48.91 (2019), 1:49.22 (2020).
• Mitch Larkin also swam 1:47.41 (2016), 1:47.72 (2014), 1:48.25 (2018), 1:48.31 (2016), 1:48.35 (2014), 1:48.51 (2018), 1:48.69 (2014), 1:48.78 (2015), 1:48.81 (2016), 1:49.07 (2018), 1:49.15 (2019).
• Ryan Murphy also swam 1:47.41 (2020, 2022), 1:47.48 (2020), 1:48.03 (2020), 1:48.10 (2021), 1:48.12 (2021), 1:48.40 (2020), 1:48.43 (2021), 1:48.60 (2020), 1:48.73 (2020), 1:48.81 (2020), 1:48.86 (2012).
• Radosław Kawęcki also swam 1:47.63 (2013, 2016), 1:47.90 (2020), 1:48.12 (2020), 1:48.20 (2017), 1:48.23 (2020), 1:48.25 (2018), 1:48.32 (2015), 1:48.33 (2015), 1:48.46 (2017, 2021), 1:48.48 (2012), 1:48.51 (2012, 2020, 2020), 1:48.54 (2013), 1:48.68 (2021), 1:48.79 (2020), 1:48.86 (2020), 1:48.93 (2013), 1:48.96 (2017), 1:49.08 (2016), 1:49.13 (2009), 1:49.15 (2011).
• Markus Rogan also swam 1:47.84 (2008), 1:48.14 (2009).
• Ryan Lochte also swam 1:47.91 (2008), 1:48.20 (2014), 1:48.50 (2012), 1:48.90 (2011), 1:49.05 (2006).
• George Du Rand also swam 1:48.05 (2009), 1:48.95 (2009).
• Shaine Casas also swam 1:48.40 (2022), 1:48.81 (2021), 1:48.99 (2022).
• Lorenzo Mora also swam 1:48.45 (2022), 1:48.72 (2022).
• Luke Greenbank also swam 1:48.65 (2020).
• Matt Grevers also swam 1:48.97 (2015).
• Christian Diener also swam 1:49.04 (2021), 1:49.14 (2014).
• Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 1:49.06 (2020).
• Masaki Kaneko also swam 1:49.11 (2017), 1:49.18 (2016).
• Ryosuke Irie also swam 1:49.18 (2020).
• Mewen Tomac also swam 1:49.21 (2023).
• Stanislav Donets also swam 1:49.22 (2008).

Women long course

• Correct as of June 2024^[43]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:06.74:

• Kaylee McKeown also swam 2:03.30 (2024), 2:03.70 (2023), 2:03.84 (2024), 2:03.85 (2023), 2:04.18 (2023), 2:04.21 (2024), 2:04.28 (2021), 2:04.31 (2021), 2:04.49 (2020), 2:04.64 (2022), 2:04.68 (2021), 2:04.81 (2023), 2:05.08 (2022), 2:05.16 (2020), 2:05.31 (2022), 2:05.51 (2021), 2:05.55 (2021), 2:05.60 (2022), 2:05.66 (2021), 2:05.83 (2020), 2:05.85 (2022), 2:06.02 (2023), 2:06.26 (2019), 2:06.35 (2019), 2:06.38 (2020), 2:06.41 (2022), 2:06.47 (2023).
• Regan Smith also swam 2:03.69 (2019), 2:03.80 (2023), 2:03.99 (2024), 2:04.27 (2023), 2:04.76 (2023), 2:04.94 (2023), 2:05.16 (2024), 2:05.28 (2022), 2:05.34 (2023), 2:05.46 (2024), 2:05.65 (2022), 2:05.94 (2020), 2:06.01 (2019), 2:06.16 (2020), 2:06.41 (2024), 2:06.43 (2018), 2:06.46 (2018), 2:06.47 (2019).
• Missy Franklin also swam 2:04.76 (2013), 2:05.10 (2011), 2:05.68 (2013), 2:05.90 (2011), 2:06.12 (2012), 2:06.33 (2013), 2:06.34 (2015), 2:06.46 (2013).
• Phoebe Bacon also swam 2:05.12 (2022), 2:05.93 (2022), 2:06.27 (2024), 2:06.40 (2021), 2:06.46 (2021), 2:06.59 (2023).
• Kirsty Coventry also swam 2:05.24 (2008), 2:05.86 (2009), 2:06.39 (2008), 2:06.72 (2009).
• Margherita Panziera also swam 2:05.72 (2019), 2:06.08 (2021), 2:06.18 (2018), 2:06.41 (2019), 2:06.59 (2019), 2:06.62 (2019), 2:06.64 (2019), 2:06.67 (2019).
• Rhyan White also swam 2:05.73 (2021), 2:05.77 (2023), 2:06.39 (2021).
• Emily Seebohm also swam 2:05.81 (2015, 2017), 2:06.17 (2021), 2:06.38 (2021), 2:06.56 (2015), 2:06.59 (2016), 2:06.66 (2017), 2:06.69 (2015).
• Anastasia Fesikova also swam 2:05.92 (2012), 2:06.59 (2012).
• Kylie Masse also swam 2:05.94 (2019), 2:05.97 (2017), 2:05.98 (2018), 2:06.24 (2024), 2:06.57 (2019), 2:06.62 (2019), 2:06.67 (2021).
• Katinka Hosszú also swam 2:06.03 (2016), 2:06.05 (2016), 2:06.09 (2016), 2:06.18 (2015).
• Margaret Hoelzer also swam 2:06.23 (2008).
• Claire Curzan also swam 2:06.34 (2024), 2:06.35 (2023), 2:06.39 (2023).
• Kathleen Baker also swam 2:06.38 (2017), 2:06.43 (2018), 2:06.46 (2020), 2:06.48 (2017), 2:06.66 (2017).
• Elizabeth Beisel also swam 2:06.39 (2009), 2:06.55 (2012).
• Belinda Hocking also swam 2:06.40 (2014), 2:06.49 (2016), 2:06.66 (2013), 2:06.68 (2012).
• Taylor Ruck also swam 2:06.41 (2018), 2:06.42 (2018), 2:06.70 (2019).

Women short course

• Correct as of November 2023^[51]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:01.67:

• Kaylee McKeown also swam 1:59.26 (2022), 1:59.48 (2022).
• Minna Atherton also swam 1:59.48 (2019), 2:00.58 (2019), 2:01.59 (2019).
• Katinka Hosszú also swam 1:59.75 (2015), 1:59.84 (2015), 1:59.95 (2015), 2:00.05 (2017), 2:00.18 (2017), 2:00.37 (2017), 2:00.52 (2016), 2:00.53 (2017), 2:00.79 (2016), 2:00.85 (2014), 2:01.00 (2018), 2:01.17 (2014), 2:01.24 (2016), 2:01.48 (2016), 2:01.59 (2017), 2:01.60 (2014), 2:01.66 (2016).
• Emily Seebohm also swam 1:59.94 (2018), 2:00.13 (2014), 2:00.65 (2017), 2:01.04 (2020), 2:01.13 (2018), 2:01.15 (2017), 2:01.16 (2020), 2:01.37 (2018), 2:01.41 (2017), 2:01.56 (2020), 2:01.58 (2016), 2:01.60 (2018).
• Missy Franklin also swam 2:00.14 (2011), 2:01.53 (2015).
• Beata Nelson also swam 2:00.33 (2021), 2:00.43 (2022), 2:01.31 (2020), 2:01.65 (2020).
• Daryna Zevina also swam 2:00.47 (2016), 2:00.75 (2016), 2:00.81 (2013), 2:00.97 (2016), 2:01.17 (2013), 2:01.25 (2016), 2:01.47 (2013), 2:01.61 (2016), 2:01.62 (2013), 2:01.66 (2013).
• Kathleen Baker also swam 2:00.79 (2018), 2:00.85 (2018), 2:01.22 (2019), 2:01.57 (2019).
• Elizabeth Simmonds also swam 2:00.91 (2015), 2:01.48 (2009).
• Lisa Bratton also swam 2:00.99 (2020), 2:01.00 (2018), 2:01.61 (2020).
• Belinda Hocking also swam 2:01.30 (2011).
• Kylie Masse also swam 2:01.45 (2021).
• Anastasiya Shkurdai also swam 2:01.51 (2021).
• Margherita Panziera also swam 2:01.56 (2018).
• Amy Bilquist also swam 2:01.61 (2019).

References

1. Schwimmen im Kochsee; Berliner Volkszeitung; 29 June 1909; via the European Library
2. "New World Record". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. 25 June 1926. p. 6. Retrieved June 19, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
3. Uued ilmarekordid; Waba Maa; 16 July 1926; via the European Library
4. "LAUFER BREAKS FOURTH SWIM MARK IN GERMANY". The Indianapolis News. 14 July 1926. p. 20. Retrieved June 19, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
5. Toshio Irie at sports-reference.com
6. International Swimming Hall of Fame, Current Exhibits, World Records: Men - 200m Backstroke. Archived July 16, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
7. Associated Press, "Sets Swim Record", The Ottawa Journal (May 5, 1949).|Retrieved March 12, 2015.
8. United Press International, "Paddler Sets Record in Back Event", The Salt Lake Tribune, p. 26 (July 13, 1959). Retrieved March 12, 2015.
9. Associated Press, "U.S. Swimmers Take Early Lead in Jap Swimming Meet", The Ogden Standard-Examiner, p. 2B (July 26, 1959). Retrieved March 12, 2015.
10. "Roland Matthes Being Embraced by Opponent in Pool". Corbis Images. July 12, 1969. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
11. "Rick Carey replaces John Naber as 200-meter back record holder", The Tuscaloosa News (August 3, 1983).
12. Associated Press, "Swimming National Meet: Barrowman, Zubero get world marks," Los Angeles Times (August 14, 1991). Retrieved April 14, 2012.
13. "200-meter Backstroke record falls to former UF swimmer", Orlando Sentinel (November 25, 1991). Retrieved April 14, 2012.
14. (scm-m) This Day in Sports History April 10; retrieved 2012-04-14.
15. (scm-m) Three World Records set at World Cup. Published by Swimming World Magazine on 1999-11-20; retrieved 2012-04-14.
16. (scm-m) Krayzelburg sets another swim record, Associated Press. Published by the Los Angeles Times on 2000-02-07; retrieved 2012-04-14.
17. Lord, Craig (November 27, 2015). "Dolphin Mitch Larkin Leaps To 1:45.6 WR 200 Back Not Far Off Free Pace Of The Albatross". Swimvortex. Archived from the original on June 8, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
18. International Swimming Hall of Fame, Current Exhibits, World Records: Women - 200m Backstroke. Archived July 16, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
19. (lcm-w) "Women's 200m Backstroke: Coventry finally wins gold". Beijing 2008. 2008-08-16. Archived from the original on 2008-08-17. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
20. "Women's 200m Backstroke Semifinal Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
21. Retta Race (10 March 2023). "KAYLEE MCKEOWN CRUSHES 2:03.14 200 BACKSTROKE WORLD RECORD". SwimSwam. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
22. (scm-w) Swimming: Price breaks short-course world record, by Astrid Andersson, The Telegraph. Published 2011-08-05; retrieved 2012-04-14.
23. "Women's 200m Backstroke Results". Omega Timing. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
24. "Women 13 & Over 200 Backstroke Results". swimmingresults.net. 28 November 2020. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
25. "Men's 200m Backstroke Long Course All-Time Ranking". FINA. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
26. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). russwimming.ru. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
27. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
28. "Men's 200m Backstroke Semifinals Results" (PDF). microplustiming.com. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
29. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). RFEN. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
30. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
31. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
32. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
33. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
34. "Men's 200m Backstroke Short Course All-Time Ranking". World Aquatics. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
35. Lord, Craig (27 November 2015). "Dolphin Mitch Larkin Leaps To 1:45.6 WR 200 Back Not Far Off Free Pace of the Albatross". Swimvortex. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
36. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results". Omega Timing. 15 November 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
37. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
38. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
39. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
40. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
41. "Men's 200m Backstroke Results" (PDF). omegatiming.com. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
42. "Men's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
43. "Women's 200m Backstroke Long Course All-Time Ranking". FINA. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
44. Retta Race (10 March 2023). "KAYLEE MCKEOWN CRUSHES 2:03.14 200 BACKSTROKE WORLD RECORD". SwimSwam. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
45. David Rieder (25 April 2022). "U.S. International Team Trials: Phoebe Bacon Touches Out Rhyan White in 200 Back, Takes Down U.S. Open Record (VIDEO)". Swimming World. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
46. "Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). olympics.com. 31 July 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
47. "Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). microplustiming.com. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
48. "Women's 200m Backstroke Final" (PDF). Omega Timing. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
49. "Women's 200m Backstroke Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
50. "Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
51. "Women's 200m Backstroke Short Course All-Time Ranking". FINA. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
52. "Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). brest-dvvs.by. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
53. "Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
54. "Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). microplustiming.com. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
55. "Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
56. "Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 18 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
57. "Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.