Gretchen Walsh Breaks an Unbelievable Eleven World Records

Gretchen Walsh celebrates after breaking another world record. Peter H. Blick

From December 10 to 15, the best swimmers from around the world gathered in Budapest for the Short Course World Championships. As expected, the American swimmers delivered exceptional performances, especially Gretchen Walsh. The University of Virginia senior ended the six day competition with eleven world records, the most for any swimmer within a single global swim championship.

 While some of the world’s best swimmers don’t compete in short course competitions due to the 25 meter pools instead of the usual 50 meter ones, certain swimmers excel in these competitions. Walsh did exactly that, despite rarely competing in short course events. Her incredible turn technique and strength off the walls gave her a boost in every event. With her power off the walls, she was able to secure herself win after win.

 Walsh set nine individual world records and helped her team break two more in the 400 meter freestyle relay and the 400 meter medley relay. During her preliminary events, she swam three world records in the 50 freestyle, 50 butterfly, and the 100 butterfly. In the championship semifinals, Walsh broke her own records from prelims in the 50 and 100 butterfly, and broke the record in the 100 individual medley. In the finals she broke her previous records in the 100 individual medley, the 50 freestyle, and the 100 butterfly.

 In addition to setting new world records in nearly all of her events, Walsh won gold in every event she swam. This feat makes her only the third American to win five golds over the course of one global championship.

 With Walsh’s combined total of eleven world records, she demolished the record for the most world records set in a single meet (including relays). In second place are Americans Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps who are tied at seven records from the 1972 and 2008 Olympics, respectively. Even without including relays, Walsh is still at the top of this list with nine records.

 Although some have questioned Walsh’s record due to the championships being a short course meet, it is undeniable that Walsh went above and beyond expectations. After an incredibly successful college season and performance at the 2024 Summer Olympics, many were eager to see her swim at the Budapest championship. As she finishes her college swimming career, it will be exciting to see what she can accomplish in the future.