What Was the Best Women’s Long Course World Record of 2025?
During the past 12 months, five women’s world records were set in the long-course pool. Three of the records were established by Canadian star Summer McIntosh, who went faster than anyone in history in the 400-meter freestyle, 200 individual medley and 400 individual medley. McIntosh just missed a fourth global standard, as she clocked 2:01.99 in the 200 butterfly to nudge the longstanding record of China’s Liu Zige (2:01.81).
During her record tear, McIntosh churned out a time of 3:54.18 in the 400 freestyle and registered a performance of 2:05.70 in the 200 individual medley. Her final record was a 4:23.65 in the 400 medley.
The other two long-course world records on the year were delivered by American athletes while racing at the Fort Lauderdale stop of the USA Swimming Pro Series. At that competition, Katie Ledecky took down her own world record in the 800 freestyle, a mark that had stood since the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Ledecky covered her 16 laps in 8:04.12, an effort that cut .67 from her previous best of 8:04.79.
Meanwhile, Gretchen Walsh further flexed her muscle in the 100 butterfly, where she went 54.60. Walsh is the only female to ever break the 55-second barrier in the 100 fly, where she owns the eight-fastest times in history. Three of those performances are sub-55.
We’re asking our readers to vote for which world record they believe was the most impressive of the 2025 season. Make your selection in the poll below!
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