Egor Kornev Ties 100m Freestyle World Record, Eyes Outright Record

Egor Kornev has tied the 100m freestyle world record. The 22-year-old Russian clocked 44.84 seconds in the short course meters event at the first stop of the World Cup Silk Road Tour, equaling the mark set by Australia's Chalmers in 2021. This performance makes Kornev the third-fastest man in history in the long course 100m freestyle this year and sets the stage for an outright record attempt.

Kornev's swim showed a distinct technical approach. He took just eight strokes in the first 25 meters, focusing on efficiency with a longer stroke and lower count. His splits reveal a consistent pace. He flipped at the 25-meter mark in 10.1 seconds and reached the 50-meter turn in 21.6 seconds, two tenths off Chalmers' record first-half pace. His second, third, and fourth 25-meter segments were all between 11.5 and 11.6 seconds, and he came home in 23.2 seconds for the final 50 meters. Kornev employs more of a gallop stroke than Chalmers, especially over the first half. Both sprinters share key techniques, however. They stay underwater for about 10 meters after starts and turns, prioritize getting up to swim early, and use long, powerful kicks instead of short, fast ones.

Chalmers' World Record Context

Kyle Chalmers established the current world record of 44.84 seconds at a World Cup stop in 2021. The Australian's strategy was built on a blistering start. He went out in 21.4 seconds for the first 50 meters, maintaining a high stroke count from the beginning. His split times show a different pattern to Kornev's more even pace.

Chalmers' last 25 meters was half a second slower than his second. His stroke counts for the final three lengths were 12, 12, and 13. Despite their differing early-race strategies, both swimmers have a gallop-like technique. By the final 25 meters, their strokes look very similar for height in the water.

European Championship Success

Kornev's record-tying form follows a strong summer. In August, he won a silver medal in the 50m freestyle at the European Championships. Earlier in 2025, he placed fifth in the 50m freestyle at his long-course World Championships debut. This trajectory confirms his status among the world's elite sprinters.

Upcoming Opportunity in Tashkent

The 2026 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup began its run from October 1-3. Kornev will have his next chance to claim the record outright at the second stop of the Silk Road Tour in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Analysts suggest that if he can increase his speed on the first 50 meters, he has a great chance to break the 44.84-second barrier. At just 22 years old, Kornev should have many more opportunities to target the historic mark. The swimming world now watches to see if he can convert his tied potential into sole ownership of the record.