World’s Fastest 50m Backstroke – Men’s Long Course

1. Hunter Armstrong 23.71
2. Kliment Kolesnikov 23.80
3. Justin Ress 23.92
4. Shaine Casas 24.00
5. Liam Tancock 24.04
6. Camille Lacourt 24.07
7. Robert Glinta 24.12
8. Mark Nikolaev 24.23
9. Ryan Murphy 24.24

Download the new MySwimSplits App

The chart below compares the World’s fastest 50m Backstroke swimmers. Swimmers and coaches can looks at the individual Splits, Stroke Counts and the first 50m split compared to swimmers 50m PB. All swim data has been collected from our team reviewing race footage where possible. Here is Hunter Armstrong’s 50m Backstroke World Record swim to view. Also here is Kliment Kolesnikov’s 50m Backstroke former World Record swim to view.

Here is the list of the Men’s 100m Backstroke Long Course for comparison.

Men's 50m Backstroke - Long Course
	Hunter Armstrong	Kliment Kolesnikov	Justin Rees	Shaine Casas	Liam Tancock	Camille Lacourt	Robert Glinta	Mark Nikolaev	Ryan Murphy
Height:	6 ft 6 in 198cm	6 ft 5 in 196cm	6 ft 5in 196cm	6 ft 4in 193cm	6 ft 0 in 183cm	6 ft 7 in 200cm	6 ft 1 in 185cm	6 ft 2 in 190cm	6 ft 3 in 191cm
Weight:	180 lb 81kg	190 Ib 86kg	209 lb 95kg		179 Ib 81kg	187 Ib 85kg	165 Ib 75kg	185 Ib 84kg	201 Ib 91kg
Country:	USA	RUS	USA	USA	GBR	FRA	ROU	RUS	USA
DOB:	2001-01-24	2000-07-09	1997-08-03	1999-12-25	1985-05-07	1985-04-22	1997-04-18	1997-07-30	1995-07-02
Meet:	2022 USA World Trials	European Championships 2021	2022 USA World Trials	2022 USA World Trials	13th FINA World Championships 2009	European Championships 2010	European Championships 2018	Russian National Championships (50m)	US National Championships (50m)
Strokes	36		34	36	38				35
Total Time:	23.71	23.80	23.92	24.00	24.04	24.07	24.12	24.23	24.24

Analyzing the performances of the world’s fastest swimmers in the Men’s 50m Backstroke for Long Course (LC) provides insight into the explosive nature of this sprint event. The 50m Backstroke is a pure test of speed, agility, and technique, where swimmers aim to cover the shortest distance in the fastest time. Here’s a closer look at the top swimmers and the time differences that separate them:

1. Hunter Armstrong (23.71):
   • Hunter Armstrong’s lightning-fast time of 23.71 seconds establishes him as the fastest in the world in the Men’s 50m Backstroke LC. His performance is characterized by exceptional speed and precision, setting him apart from his competitors by a margin of 0.09 seconds.
2. Kliment Kolesnikov (23.80):
   • Kliment Kolesnikov closely follows Armstrong, just 0.09 seconds behind. Kolesnikov’s swim highlights the intense competition in the 50m Backstroke, showcasing his remarkable speed and technique.
3. Justin Ress (23.92):
   • Justin Ress secures the third position with a time of 23.92 seconds, 0.12 seconds behind Kolesnikov. Ress demonstrates his ability to maintain high-speed strokes and challenge the top swimmers in this event.
4. Shaine Casas (24.00):
   • Shaine Casas is just 0.08 seconds behind Ress, claiming the fourth spot. Casas’ performance underlines the closely contested nature of the 50m Backstroke, with his strong technique and speed making him a formidable contender.
5. Liam Tancock (24.04):
   • Liam Tancock, a seasoned backstroke specialist, is 0.04 seconds behind Casas. Tancock’s experience and expertise in this sprint event are evident in his competitive performance.
6. Camille Lacourt (24.07):
   • Camille Lacourt secures the sixth position, 0.03 seconds behind Tancock. Lacourt’s presence among the top swimmers highlights the global nature of the 50m Backstroke.
7. Robert Glinta (24.12):
   • Robert Glinta follows closely, just 0.05 seconds behind Lacourt. Glinta’s performance reflects the tight competition in this event and his determination to excel.
8. Mark Nikolaev (24.23):
   • Mark Nikolaev claims the eighth position with a time of 24.23 seconds, trailing Glinta by 0.11 seconds. Nikolaev’s swim showcases his ability to compete at the highest level.
9. Ryan Murphy (24.24):
   • Ryan Murphy concludes the list with a time of 24.24 seconds, just 0.01 seconds behind Nikolaev. Murphy’s presence underscores the depth of talent in the Men’s 50m Backstroke LC.

In summary, the Men’s 50m Backstroke LC is a thrilling showcase of pure speed and precision. Hunter Armstrong’s lead exemplifies his exceptional explosiveness and technique, but the small time differences among the top swimmers emphasize the fierce competition in this event. Each athlete’s capacity to generate immense power while maintaining flawless technique is what makes the 50m Backstroke one of the most exciting and closely watched races in the world of swimming. It’s a race where fractions of a second can separate victory from defeat, and where swimmers’ mastery of the perfect stroke is paramount.

Note: World’s Fastest 50m Backstroke – Men’s Long Course Update Sept 2023