Record breaking Swimming performances at the Tokyo Olympics 2020

The Tokyo Olympics saw a number of records being shattered in swimming and moments that were inspiring to one and all. 

This year's Olympics in Tokyo saw a record total of 37 swimming events and August 1st marked the conclusion of all the individual events.

From the Tunisian youngster defying all the odds to bring home only the 5th gold medal to Emma McKeon of Australia striking a record 7 medals in swimming (4 gold and 3 bronze), the Tokyo Olympics has offered us some amazing moments with records tumbling at regular intervals in various swimming categories. 

Sportco, today takes a look at the records broken, list of medalists, and country-wise medal tally in swimming at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Best performances and World records in swimming at the Tokyo Olympics

A total of 18 events including the 10 km open water is in the schedule of the Men’s events in the swimming. As for the women, they had 18 events comprising of the same events. In addition to the 36 events, we also have the 4x100 m medley relay.

Let us take a look at the events, medal winners, and the world and Olympic records that were shattered in swimming at the Tokyo Olympics.

Caeleb Dressel

The sprint specialist from America once again found himself amongst the medals in Tokyo, claiming individual golds in the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle, and 50m freestyle events. 

Caeleb Dressel was the heavy favorite heading into the race after tying the Olympic record of 50.39 in the heat and breaking it later during the semifinal, less than 24 hours. He went full throttle and one-upped himself again, setting a new world record with a time of 49.45.

Ryan Murphy, Michael Andrew, Caeleb Dressel, Zach Apple 

Team USA consisting of Ryan Murphy, Michael Andrew, Caeleb Dressel, and Zach Apple won the gold medal in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay, setting a new world record in the process. 

Caeleb Dressel won his fifth Tokyo Games gold medal during the event, becoming the fifth American to do so. Their efforts stood to smash a 12-year-old record by 0.50 seconds.

Tatjana Schoenmaker

South African Tatjana Schoenmaker smashed the long-standing women's 200m breaststroke world record to win the Olympic gold medal, being timed 2 min 18.95 secs to better the 2:19.11 set by Denmark's Rikke Moller Pedersen in 2013. This made her the first female South African to win an Olympic swimming gold since 1996.

Bronte Campbell, Meg Harris, Emma McKeon, Cate Campbell 

The Australian women's swimming team stunned the world to win the women's 4x100m freestyle relay in world record time at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Australia broke its own world record in a time of 3:29.69, which was close to four-hundredths of a second better than Australia's previous world record of 3:30.05., marking a stunning performance from the quartet.

Yang Junxuan, Tang Muhan, Zhang Yufei, Li Bingjie

Team China shocked the world to take gold in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay final at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. 

The Chinese quartet of Yang Junxuan, Tang Muhan, Zhang Yufei, and Li Bingjie finished the race in a record time of 7:40.33 seconds with all the top 3 teams breaking the previous world record held by the Australians of 7:41.50.  

Kathleen Dawson, Adam Peaty, James Guy, Anna Hopkin 

Great Britain claimed a fourth swimming gold at an Olympics for the first time in 113 years by winning the inaugural 4x100m mixed medley relay in a world-record time. 

The team of Kathleen Dawson, Adam Peaty, James Guy, and Anna Hopkin won in a world record time of 3 min 37.58 secs and will be the premier record-holders as this is a new event.

List of swimming events and records broken at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

In the broadcast of the men's 400-meter freestyle event, when the commentators focused on the stars, such as Australian star Jack McLoughlin or the American, Kieran Smith, an 18-year-old Ahmed Hafnaoui surprised everyone by becoming an Olympic champion, proving that one can never underestimate their opponent in Olympics. 

A special mention for Emma McKeon from Australia who won a record 7 medals in swimming events at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and became the first Australian to do so and also stands to be the only woman to win 7 medals for swimming in a single event.  

This brings a close to all our swimming-related events in Tokyo at the Olympic 2020. With the medal count racking up, countries continue to jostle for the top position to see who would come out on top. Stay tuned for more exciting action coming your way.