Kyle Chalmers Blazes to 21.78 PB in 50 Free, Completing Freestyle Sweep at Bergen Swim Festival
Table of Contents
- 1. Kyle Chalmers Blazes to 21.78 PB in 50 Free, Completing Freestyle Sweep at Bergen Swim Festival
- 2. Tessa Giele Shines, Slyngstadli Breaks Record
- 3. Key Takeaways for U.S. Swimmers
- 4. What are the biggest challenges faced by athletes striving for continuous improvement in the sport?
- 5. Kyle Chalmers Interview: Reflecting on the Bergen Swim Festival and the Road to 2025
By Archyde News Service
Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers delivered a stunning performance at the Bergen Swim Festival in Norway, clocking a personal best of 21.78 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle. This victory secured Chalmers a coveted freestyle double, adding to his notable win in the 100-meter freestyle on the opening night. This performance not only underscores Chalmers’ versatility but also raises the stakes as the Paris Olympics draw near. For U.S. athletes, Chalmers’ enhancement serves as a reminder of the ever-increasing global competition in swimming.
Chalmers’ previous best time in the 50 free was 21.98 seconds, achieved at the 2024 Australian Open Championships. His remarkable 0.20-second improvement in Bergen propels him to second in the 2025 world rankings, narrowly trailing Olympic silver medalist Ben Proud, who set a blistering 21.73 at the Edinburgh International Meet last month. the American swimming community is keenly watching these international performances,as they provide crucial benchmarks for our own athletes leading up to major competitions.
“It’s a huge improvement for Chalmers and elevated him to second in the 2025 world rankings behind Olympic silver medallist Ben Proud’s 21.73 at the Edinburgh International Meet last month.”
Archyde News Service
While Chalmers secured a world junior title in the 50 free in 2015, his primary individual successes have been in the 100 free. Meanwhile, fellow Australian swimmer Cam McEvoy has been making waves in the 50, winning the Olympic title in Paris in 21.25 and the world gold in Fukuoka in 21.06. This dynamic amongst Australian swimmers mirrors the depth of talent the U.S. strives for, where multiple athletes push each other to achieve peak performance.
Sean Niewold of the Netherlands finished second in 22.07, followed by Bjørnar Grytnes Laskerud in third at 22.23.Notable swimmers like Kenzo Simons and Dylan Carter were shut out of the medals, highlighting the intense competition at the meet. The presence of international talent makes events like the Bergen Swim Festival crucial for assessing the global landscape of competitive swimming.
Niewold also competed in the 100-meter butterfly shortly after his 50-meter freestyle race.Nyls Korstanje spearheaded a Dutch sweep, winning decisively in 51.13, ahead of Thomas Verhoeven (52.71) and Niewold (52.87). This dominance in multiple events demonstrates the depth of the Dutch swimming programme and provides insights for U.S. coaches looking to develop well-rounded athletes.
Tessa Giele Shines, Slyngstadli Breaks Record
Tessa Giele was a standout performer at the Bergen Swim Festival, adding two more gold medals to her collection Sunday. She clinched the 50-meter freestyle title in a swift 25.11 seconds, leaving Jóhanna Elín Guðmundsdóttir (25.84) and Sara Junevik (24.85) to battle for second. Giele’s consistent performance and versatility offers a model for aspiring swimmers in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of excelling in multiple disciplines.
Only 12 minutes later, Giele returned to the pool to dominate the 200-meter butterfly. Leading by over two seconds at the first turn, she finished strong with a time of 2:13.57, well ahead of Aliz Szilvási-Hazag (2:25.25) and Kine Emilie K. Måseide (2:25.68). Giele concluded the Bergen Swim Festival with an impressive five titles, including victories in the 50 and 100-meter butterfly (25.98/57.17) and the 50-meter backstroke (27.67).
Silje Rongevær Slyngstadli broke the Norwegian record in the women’s 100-meter breaststroke, a record that had stood as the “supersuit” era of 2009. Slyngstadli’s splits of 31.57/35.96 gave her a final time of 1:07.53, shaving 0.31 seconds off the previous record of 1:07.84 set by Katharina Stiberg at the 2009 World Championships in Rome. The fact that Slyngstadli was only five years old when the previous record was set underscores the rapid evolution of swimming. She added the 100-meter title to her gold in the 50-meter breaststroke.
Silja Malin Vert-Mönig took second place in 1:12.68, followed by June Selin in 1:12.75. Slyngstadli’s achievement reinforces the notion that continuous improvement and breaking long-standing records are always within reach.
Sander Sørensen completed a freestyle hat trick with a victory in the 400-meter freestyle. The 17-year-old has made a significant impact in Bergen, setting national records in both the 100 and 200-meter freestyle with times of 48.86 and 1:46.48, respectively. He controlled the 400-meter race from start to finish, winning in 3:52.26, ahead of Birk Lee Johansen, who edged out two-time European silver medalist Henrik Christiansen by a mere 0.01 seconds, finishing in 3:57.75 versus 3:57.76.
Key Takeaways for U.S. Swimmers
The Bergen Swim Festival provided valuable insights for U.S. swimmers and coaches:
- Global Competition is Fierce: International meets highlight the growing talent pool worldwide, pushing U.S. athletes to train harder and smarter.
- Versatility Matters: Swimmers like Tessa Giele demonstrate the importance of excelling in multiple events, a trait that can be cultivated through varied training regimens.
- Records are Meant to Be Broken: Slyngstadli’s record-breaking performance serves as an inspiration, reminding athletes that continuous improvement is absolutely possible, even after long periods.
By analyzing the results and performances from international events like the Bergen swim Festival, U.S. swimmers can gain a competitive edge and strive for excellence on the world stage.
What are the biggest challenges faced by athletes striving for continuous improvement in the sport?
Kyle Chalmers Interview: Reflecting on the Bergen Swim Festival and the Road to 2025
Archyde News service recently sat down with kyle Chalmers,the Australian swimming sensation,to discuss his impressive performance at the bergen Swim Festival and his readiness for future competitions. Here’s what he had to say:
Archyde: Kyle, congratulations on your remarkable performance at the Bergen Swim Festival! Your 50-meter freestyle time of 21.78 seconds is a personal best. How did you feel about the race?
Chalmers: Thanks! I’m really pleased with the result. It’s always great to achieve a personal best, especially in a competitive environment like the Bergen Swim Festival. The atmosphere was fantastic, and it definitely pushed me to give my best.
Archyde: This victory secured you a freestyle double, following your win in the 100-meter freestyle. How notable is this versatility for you as you continue to compete?
Chalmers: Versatility is key in swimming. Being able to perform well in multiple events gives me more options and strategies moving forward. It’s also a great way to keep things interesting and challenging in training.
Archyde: Looking ahead,your time puts you at second in the 2025 world rankings. What’s the training strategy like to maintain this top position?
Chalmers: The plan involves a lot of hard work and dedication. We focus on refining technique, building strength and endurance, and optimizing recovery. It’s also important to study my competitors, analyze their strengths, and continuously adapt my approach to get better in areas I feel I need to.
Archyde: We’ve seen some incredible times from other athletes, like Ben Proud. How does the competition from swimmers like ben fuel your motivation?
Chalmers: Having strong competition pushes you to constantly improve. Knowing other athletes are pushing the limits drives me to train harder and refine my race strategy so I can keep up with the competition.
Archyde: The Bergen Swim Festival often showcases promising young talent. Are there any up-and-coming swimmers who particularly impressed you?
chalmers: There were several talented young swimmers at the festival, pushing new limits in the swimming world. It’s exciting to see the future of the sport and the incredible skills they are bringing to the table.
Archyde: The U.S. swimming community is keen to see how international performances affect the sport. What advice would you give to young, aspiring swimmers looking to make their mark on the global stage?
Chalmers: Work hard, stay focused, and never give up on your goals. Study the best, learn from your mistakes, and always strive to improve your technique. Enjoy the journey, because the passion you have for the sport will drive you the most.
Archyde: beyond the pool, what do you hope to remember most about the Bergen Swim Festival?
Chalmers: The camaraderie and sportsmanship among the athletes. The festival creates an environment where everyone, regardless of their country, comes together to perform at their highest level, and that’s something truly special.
Archyde: Thank you for your insights, Kyle. We wish you all the best in your future competitions. Readers, what do you think are the biggest challenges faced by athletes striving for continuous improvement in the sport? Share your thoughts below!
