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How Is Nicholas Santos Still Winning World Titles at 41 Years Old?

2021 FINA SHORT COURSE SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reported by Michael Hamann.

Men’s 50 fly Final

  • World Record: 21.75 – SANTOS Nicholas (BRA) 6 OCT / SZABO Szebasztian (HUN) 6 NOV 2021
  • Championship Record: 21.81 – SANTOS Nicholas (BRA) 15 DEC 2018
  • World Junior Record: 22.34 – MINAKOV Andrei (RSF) 18 DEC 2020

Top 8 finishers:

  1. Nicholas Santos (BRA): 21.93
  2. Dylan Carter (TTO): 21.98
  3. Matteo Rivolta (ITA): 22.02
  4. Szebasztian Szabo (HUN): 22.14
  5. Grigori Pekarski (BLR): 22.35
  6. Nyls Korstanje (NED): 22.39
  7. Tom Shields (USA): 22.42
  8. Oleg Kostin (RUS): 22.43

In a battle of the current World Record holders, Brazil Nicholas Santos came out on top in 21.93. Santos initially set the World Record at 21.75 in 2018 in Budapest. In a disappointing finish, the Hungary’s Szebasztian Szabo finished off the podium in fourth in 22.14, just a month after matching Santos’ World Record at the European Championships.

Three years ago, Santos became the oldest person to ever win a world title, winning this event in World Record fashion as a 38 year old. He returned this year, as a 41 year old, to show that he still has plenty left in the tank and can compete with athletes nearly half his age.

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The condors were robbed
2 years ago

Next Swimswam article: « How fast is Emilie Fast? »

McKeown-Hodges-McKeon-Campbell
Reply to  The condors were robbed
2 years ago

how is Emilie Fast?

Snarky
2 years ago

Because he’s fast!

Br
2 years ago

Gotta love them Americanos man… always the first ones to point fingers

Hard look in the mirror before talking smack about people my friends…

Brr
Reply to  Br
2 years ago

Don’t forget to take your adderall and asthma inhalers… and never drink tap water while in Texas

Luigi
2 years ago

Short, fast, technical races. Ervin came back in 2011 after 7 years of inactivity and immediately was back on top. Then in another 5 years he was Olympic champ. Granted he was not 41, but you see my point. If the talent is there and the commitment is there …

Ol' Longhorn
2 years ago

He focuses on one event, has learned to nail every technical detail of it, and has learned what works for him.

Scotty P
2 years ago

OOOOO OOOO best idea ever! “Natty or Not” swimming edition.

Last edited 2 years ago by Scotty P
Aqui é Brasil porrrr
Reply to  Scotty P
2 years ago

Yeah, but let’s ask everyone about their opinions… not only Americans, you’d be surprised 😉

Louiggi
2 years ago

respeito! tam bom pra,pra pra

Taa
2 years ago

Its good to be skeptical its up to WADA to catch him. Torres same if I had a vote I would vote she did some shady stuff but its nothing more than a guess. Tom Brady seems fanatical about his health I would vote that has crossed the line…I think Peyton M was having stuff shipped to his wife at some point?

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Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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