Swimmer McEvoy Breaks Over 16-Year-Old World Record - Cameron McEvoy smashes 16-year-old 50m freestyle world record in Shenzhen
Cameron McEvoy has shattered the long-standing world record in the 50-meter freestyle. His victory at the China Open in Shenzhen marks the first time in 16 years that the record has been broken. The Australian swimmer clocked an impressive 20.88 seconds, edging out the previous best by a razor-thin margin.
The record had been held by Brazil's César Cielo since 2009, when he finished in 20.91 seconds. At the time, Cielo wore a high-tech suit designed to reduce drag and boost speed. McEvoy, however, achieved his time without such technology, making his performance even more remarkable.
McEvoy secured the win ahead of strong competition, including American swimmer Jack Alexy and Rio Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers. The race took place on March 21, 2026, at the Shenzhen event, where McEvoy's precision and power proved decisive. After the race, Cielo took to Instagram to congratulate McEvoy on his achievement. The Brazilian swimmer acknowledged the significance of the record, which had stood unchallenged for over a decade and a half.
McEvoy's new world record now stands at 20.88 seconds, surpassing Cielo's mark by just three hundredths of a second. The feat highlights his skill and consistency in one of swimming's most competitive events. His performance sets a new benchmark for future sprinters in the 50-meter freestyle.
