2020 Olympian Hunter Armstrong dominated SwimSwam headlines during the U.S. International Team Trials. He was among the most improved performers in his 100m free. His seed time was a modest 49.31, but he touched the finals wall in 48.25, which may be enough to put him on the U.S. World Champs 4×100 free relay. (Hunter tied Drew Kibler for 4th in the 100, and Hunter clocked a solid 22 flat in the 50m free on the 5th day of finals.) Day 3 Hunter obliterated the 50m back world record, 23.71. Day 4 Hunter edged Ryan Murphy for the win in the 100m back, 52.20. By day 5 Hunter announced his retirement from college swimming to turn pro.
I did not know how green Hunter was until U.S. International Team Trials. He’s an extremely raw talent–only on his forth summer of full-time training. That’s insane. It also sheds more light on why he didn’t final at the 2020 Olympic Games after his lights out 100 back at the U.S. Olympic Trials. In this interview, Hunter also addresses his 44.42 5th place at NCAA Champs, which, if we’re being fair, was a great swim, but slower than fans expected.
2022 Hunter Armstrong World Champs Predictions:
Hunter’s got a lot to prove after his Olympic Game performance. Hunter clearly doesn’t like multiple tapers, and this World Champs provides him the training space to taper for one big meet. I see Hunter ripping it again in the 50m back, re-breaking world record in 23.69 for the gold.
100 back? Can he break Murphy’s world record? I don’t think so. I see 52.29. Hunter makes the podium, a big step forward–but Ryan Murphy edges him for the win touching in 52.1. Murphy has a lot to prove this summer. And I think Murphy’s back half 50 on the 100 at U.S. Trials was off. Murphy will tighten up his second 50, and that will be enough for him to net gold Budapest.
But who cares what I think. It’s all about what you think? Drop your comments below.
CURRENT 100 BACK WORLD RANKINGS
2021-2022 LCM Men 100 Back
Ceccon
51.60 WR
View Top 28»2 Ryan
MurphyUSA 51.97 06/20 3 Hunter
ArmstrongUSA 51.98 06/20 4 Apostolos
ChristouGRE 52.09 06/19 5 Yohann
Ndoye-BrouardFRA 52.50 06/20
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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.
This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.
Pay attention to fenomenal talent Thomas Ceccon 👀
Yes I hope so, I’m on the Hunter train!!!! Not a fan of the whinny Murphy.
Men’s backstroke is a strange one at the moment. Despite years of strong competition (Murphy, Kilesnikov, Rylov, Xu, Larkin, Grevers, Irie etc) times have largely stagnated in that 51 high/52 low and 1.53 region. The 52.16 and 1.53.41 that won the 2012 Olympics would almost certainly make the podium at Worlds this summer and could well win.
Normally a clustering of swimmers around the same times pushes someone to take the next step but it hasn’t happened yet in this case. It’ll be interesting to see how long it takes for someone to push down into the 51 mids in the 100 and challenge Peirsol’s world record in the 200, as ten years ago many of us would have… Read more »
I’m thinking the same. When there are many swimmers who can swim close to the world record in an event, it usually means the record still has a large room for improvement, like previously in men’s 200 breast. People were flirting with 2:07.00 for so many years without breaking it, but now we have a 2:05. I’m expecting the men’s 100 back record to be taken to another level in foreseable future too. We just need to wait for THAT man.
Not the same as Breastroke though. That has had rule changes and fly kicks to help get times down.
No.
Next.
I’ve been favoring Murphy in the last 4 years or so, but he never ended up winning at the major championships, so I’m betting on Hunter or Ceccon this time.
Also even though I’m not shaving my head if Hunter breaks the WR, I am donating $100 to a charity of his choice. I will still end up donating money regardless of what happens but about 50-75 dollars if he doesn’t haven’t decided yet. You can hold me to that. Or GMM can give me some suggestions of charities!
…thinking….
https://thezacfoundation.org/ as a top notch charity recommendation if needed!
Brain Injury Network Dallas
https://thebind.org/
White lightning needs a sunscreen apinsorship
Sponsorship
Uhh how are you favoring Murphy? He hasn’t been “on” at an international meet for 3 years… maybe he pulls a Josh Davis, but the odds are against him.
Hunter ftw, in 51.95, just missing the record. Murphy will be 52.4, but so will 2/3 other guys. Hunter has more top end speed, so as long as he stays straight in the lane, and handles the pressure, this event is his.
Seems to me like Murphy was “on” in Tokyo but the opposition was just faster.
…just appreciate the Josh Davis reference.
Furreal