Van Mathias Sets New World Record With 55.14 SCM 100 Breaststroke

2026 U.S. Short Course World Championship Trials

Van Mathias blasted a monster world record time of 55.14 to set a new world record in the men’s 100 breaststroke, taking more than a tenth off Ilya Shymanovich‘s 2021 time of 55.28 and picking up the first world record of his career.

MEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE – Final

• World Record: 55.28, Ilya Shymanovich (BLR) – 2021
• American Record: 55.48, Van Mathias (USA) — 2026
• U.S. Open Record: 55.48, Van Mathias (USA) — 2026
• Beijing ‘A’ Qualification Time: 57.38

Final:

1. Van Mathias (ISC) — 55.14 *World Record*
2. Brian Benzing (TUS) — 56.23
3. Josh Bey (IU) — 57.23
4. Andy Dobrzanski (SUN) — 57.31
5. Noah Cakir (IU) — 57.41
6. Mitch Mason (TFA) — 57.75
7. AJ Pouch (PRVT) — 58.03
8. Chris O’Grady (SPAR) — 58.51

Mathias set a new U.S. Open and American record in prelims, stopping the clock in 55.48. He took more than three tenths off that swim tonight to become the fastest man in history in the event and finish more than a second ahead of Brian Benzing‘s 56.23 in 2nd place.

Mathias was out quick, splitting 25.76 on the first 50 to turn about five tenths ahead of Benzing’s 26.23. He came home in 29.38, the only split in the field under 30 seconds to lock up the win and spot on the U.S. Team in Beijing.

His swim took a little more than a tenth off the 55.28 mark Shymanovich set during the ISL season in 2021. The fastest any non-Shymanovich swimmer had ever been before tonight was Adam Peaty‘s 55.41 from 2020.

Top 5 Performances in History

1. Van Mathias (USA) — 55.14 (2026)
2. Ilya Shymanovich (BLR) — 55.28 (2021)
3. Ilya Shymanovich (BLR) — 55.32 (2021)
4. Ilya Shymanovich (BLR) — 55.34 (2020)
5. Adam Peaty (GBR) — 55.41 (2020)

Mathias was faster than Shymanovich on both 50s of the race, beating Shymanovich’s 25.85 opening 50 by nine hundredths and his 29.43 closing 50 split by seven hundredths.

Split Comparison