Can Kyle Chalmers Join the 46-Second Club in 100 Freestyle? It Might Be Necessary
On a pair of occasions, Kyle Chalmers has clocked 47.08 in the 100-meter freestyle. He’s also been 47.15. And already twice this year, the Australian standout – an Olympic and world champion – has dipped under 47.30 in his signature event, evidence that he’s approaching the World Championships in Singapore in fine form.
Now, we ask the question: Is a 46-point performance in Chalmers’ arsenal?
The 27-year-old might need to reach sub-47 territory for the first time to push for the podium in the 100 freestyle at the World Champs. With Chinese world-record holder Pan Zhanle (46.40) and Romanian European-record holder David Popovici (46.71) headlining the event’s field, an expectation has been set that 46-something is going to be required for victory.
Meanwhile, Jack Alexy delivered a personal best of 46.99 performance at the United States Nationals last month, which means the 100 freestyle at Worlds will feature three sub-47 performers in the field for the first time. So, it isn’t out of the question that 46-point may be necessary just to reach the podium.
Yes, history tells us that much-anticipated events do not always match their speed potential. The element of pressure exists and getting to the wall first is the primary objective. Times become secondary. But the talent in the 100 freestyle in Singapore will be phenomenal, and seeing triple 46s would not be a shock, not with Brazil’s Gui Caribe (47.10) also lurking around the barrier this season.
As for Chalmers, his career has been defined by excellence. After winning the 100 freestyle as a teenager at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Chalmers has followed with back-to-back Olympic silver medals in Tokyo and Paris. The event has also brought titles from both versions of the World Championships, the Commonwealth Games and the Pan Pacific Championships.
Producing a 46-second performance in the 100 freestyle is certainly within Chalmers’ reach, and his tuneup performances on the road to Singapore indicate that the Aussie veteran is carrying momentum to the biggest meet of 2025. In April, Chalmers went 47.27 at the Bergen Swim Festival in Norway. Two months later, he clocked 47.29 at the Aussie Trials for the World Champs.
Chalmers has always been known for his closing speed in the 100 freestyle and his training shift toward lower-volume work at a more intense pace could be the key to a breakthrough that has been long awaited: Membership to the 46-second club.
It looks like it might be needed.
