Sun Yang Breaks Swimming's Oldest Record
By wchung | 21 May, 2025

China’s young star Sun Yang broke the 10-year-old record set in the 1,500 meters by Australian great Grant Hackett. It is the oldest record in swimming and only the second record to fall since high-tech bodysuits were banned 19 months ago. It had been the only record to surve the polyurethane era of 2008 and 2009.

Sun over came a two-second deficit with four laps left to finish in 14 minutes 34.14 seconds was more than two seconds off Hackett’s pace with four laps to go in the marathon in the pool, but ignored fatigue and accelerated on the final two laps to finish in 14 minutes 34.14 seconds, improving on Hackett’s mark of 14:34.56 set at the 2001 worlds in Fukuoka, Japan.

“I was not obsessed with the world record before the final, because I wanted to focus on my plan,” Sun said. “My goal is to win the gold.”

After the race, Sun was congratulated on weibo — China’s version of Twitter — by Liu Xiang, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist, a former world record-holder in the 110-meter hurdles and a sports hero in China.

“I think Liu Xiang created history in 2004. I watched the games on TV and after he won the gold medal, I was very excited. I thought someday, I will be like him,” Sun said.

The crowd at the Oriental Sports Center provided loud support over the final laps, erupting into more joy when the clock stopped four-tenths of a second inside Hackett’s mark.

Fifth-place finisher Chad La Tourette of the United States said he was “just happy to be a part of it.”

“I knew he was going to be close at the 800,” La Tourette said. “That was a fantastic swim and it really just kind of sets himself apart as a once-in-a-generation type swimmer like Grant was.”

It was only the second world record to fall in swimming since high-tech bodysuits were banned 19 months ago — and Hackett’s record had been the only mark to withstand the record deluge during the polyurethane era of 2008 and 2009.

American all-around star Ryan Lochte set the first world record since the return to textile suits at this meet Tuesday in the 200 individual medley.

The two world records set in this eight-day meet were a sharp contrast from the 43 marks that dropped at the last worlds in Rome two years ago.

Lochte, the overall standout of the meet, also won the 400 IM on Sunday for his fifth gold, beating silver medalist and teammate Tyler Clary by a massive four seconds.

“I’m glad this meet’s over. It’s been a long, long eight days,” Lochte said. “Getting five gold medals is definitely great. The times I went, I know I can go faster.”

Michael Phelps, meanwhile, finished with four golds after pushing the Americans in front during the butterfly leg in the 4×100 medley relay. Nathan Adrian held off a late comeback attempt by Australia’s James Magnussen in the anchor leg.

The Americans won in 3:32.06, Australia took silver in 3:32.26 and Germany got bronze in 3:32.60.

Lochte wasn’t included on the U.S. squad for the final relay of the meet.

In other events, 33-year-old Therese Alshammar of Sweden won the women’s 50 free and American Elizabeth Beisel took gold in the women’s 400 IM. Another American, Jessica Hardy, reclaimed the 50 breaststroke title she lost two years ago during a doping ban, and Liam Tancock gave Britain its second gold in as many nights in the 50 back.

The Americans’ performance on the final night moved them in front of China on the overall medals table — including diving and other sports — with 17 golds to China’s 15.

The 19-year-old Sun also won the 800 free earlier in the meet, plus a silver in the 400 and a bronze with China’s 4×200 relay squad. He is coached by Hackett’s former mentor, Dennis Cotterell.