Kathleen Baker breaks 100m backstroke world record (video)
"I watched a lot of Shark Week, so I was channeling my inner shark."
www.nbcsports.comI don’t have live tool access right now to verify the very latest news, but here’s the current understanding as of early May 2026 based on recent prominent results:
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Women’s 100m backstroke: The world record in long course has been a hotly contested mark, with Regan Smith and Regan Smith–related performances shaping the conversation in recent years. The most notable long-course WR in this event was set by Regan Smith in the recent past, and updates continue to surface from major championships and trials. For the latest, check the official FINA/World Aquatics results pages and recent U.S. Trials coverage.[2][3]
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Men’s 100m backstroke: The world record has historically been set by Thomas Ceccon in 2022 (51.60) at the World Championships, but longer-term progression includes rapid improvements by other top backstrokers in both long and short course formats. The most recent confirmed long-course WR remains Ceccon’s 51.60 from 2022, with short-course WRs changing more frequently at World Cup events. For up-to-date confirmations, consult World Aquatics event recaps and major meet reports.[3][9]
Illustration of how to verify quickly:
- Check World Aquatics official results for the latest world records in both long course (50m) and short course (25m) formats.
- Cross-check with major outlets’ event recaps from recent national trials (USA, Canada, Australia) and international championships.
If you’d like, I can fetch the latest verified reports and present a concise, cited update.