Hubert Kos Lowers Top 200 Back Time in the World This Year to 1:55.95 at PSS – Westmont

2023 PRO SWIM SERIES – WESTMONT

• April 12-15, 2023
• FMC Aquatic Center, Westmont, Illinois
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Hubert Kos clocked the two fastest 200-meter backstroke times in the world this year between his prelims and finals swims today, but the 20-year-old Hungarian still appeared visibly disappointed following his victory at the Pro Swim Series stop in Westmont on Saturday night.

Kos, who had never been sub-1:57 before this meet, reached the wall in 1:55.95 to beat Texas junior Carson Foster by more than a full second. After throwing down the top time in the world this year during prelims (1:56.28), Kos managed to shave another few tenths off his lifetime best to secure the $1,500 prize.

Kos ranks as the top 200 backstroker in the world this year ahead of Ryan Murphy‘s 1:56.31 from prelims and the second-fastest performer this season behind Joshua Edwards-Smith‘s 1:55.42 from last December. Murphy scratched the 200 back final tonight after qualifying second just .03 behind Kos this morning.

Perhaps he was a bit upset that he missed Peter Bernek‘s Hungarian national record of 1:55.58 from the 2017 World Championships, but Kos will have plenty of opportunities to dip under that mark this summer. He should be a podium contender in the event at this year’s World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. His time tonight would have placed him fourth at last year’s Worlds behind Shaine Casas (1:55.35), Luke Greenbank (1:55.16), and Murphy (1:54.52).

In one day, Kos jumped from 125th to 45th to 33rd in the all-time rankings.

Before today, Kos owned a lifetime best of 1:57.64 from last April’s Hungarian Nationals. Prior to that, his previous best was a 2:02.55 from the 2021 Hungarian Junior Nationals. Kos has come a long way in just a couple years.

In his first season at Arizona State, Kos placed third in the 200-yard backstroke at last month’s NCAA Championships with a 1:37.96.

The huge new personal best obviously bodes well for Kos. But even scarier for opponents should be how high his expectations are for himself this year based on his reaction.

MEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE – FINAL

• World Record: 1:51.92, Aaron Peirsol (2009)
• American Record: 1:51.92, Aaron Peirsol (2009)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 1:55.04, Xu Jiayu (2017)
• US Open Record: 1:53.08, Aaron Peirsol (2009)

Top 8:

1. Hubert Kos – 1:55.95
2. Carson Foster – 1:56.97
3. Kieran Smith – 1:58.43
4. Destin Lasco – 1:59.94
5. Kaloyan Levterov – 2:00.23
6. Hunter Tapp – 2:00.47
7. Nicolas Albiero – 2:01.47
8. Yeziel Morales – 2:01.58

Texas junior Carson Foster (1:56.97), Kieran Smith (1:58.43), and Destin Lasco (1:59.94) were the only other swimmers in the field to finish under two minutes.