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16-Years-Old Swimming Prodigy Shattered Michael Phelps’ Two-Decade-Long Standing Record With Staggering Time

Published 12/11/2022, 10:15 AM EST

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The swimming world needs no introduction to the legendary Michael Phelps. The most decorated Olympic swimmer has a never-ending list of unbeaten records. Although records are surely meant to be broken one day or another.

The whole world was left stunned by this 16-year-old swimming prodigy. Maximus Williamson recently broke the two-decade-long record of Michael Phelps. The record that was set by Michael Phelps in 2002 is now the second best in the history books of swimming.

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Maximus Williamson breaks Michael Phelps’ 20-year-old record

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympic swimmer, set a record of 3:42.08 in the 400 IM in 2002, but it has finally been broken after all those years. Some people came close to 3:44, but no one would have ever thought of going beyond that.

This wasn’t the first time Maximus Williamson broke big records. He has a good record of breaking records. At only 16 years old, he has already surpassed Phelps’ world record by swimming two seconds faster. That small margin of two seconds is a huge achievement, as it’s very difficult to break such records. But this kid has shown that he is meant to become a legend in the coming years.  

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At such a young age and having so much potential, it looks promising for him to dominate the big leagues like the Olympics in no time. Before Williamson, no one attempted or succeeded in breaking any major records.

Phelps’ incredible career

Born on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Maryland, Phelps’ childhood was pretty rough because of his parent’s divorce when he was just a kid. Even though he was afraid of water, Phelps decided to get into the sport of swimming, and the rest is history.

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With 28 Olympic medals, the Baltimore Bullet is the most decorated Olympic swimmer in history. Out of those 28 Olympic medals, 23 are gold. Back in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he dominated the whole Olympics with a significant 8 gold medals, which was his highest record for the number of medals in a single Olympics. His dominance in the sport is still feared by today’s swimmers.

The legend retired in 2016, and as he had swum since the age of seven, he didn’t want to continue anymore because he also realized his limits.

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WATCH THIS STORY – From Lactic Acid to Webbed Feet- Here’s How Michael Phelps Heart Rate Edges Him Over Other Competitors

What do you think of the 16-year-old prodigy breaking Michael Phelps’ record? Let us know in the comment section.

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Written by:

Rahul Goutam Hoom

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Rahul Goutam Hoom is a US Sports writer for EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his Master's in Mass Communication and Journalism from Birla Global University. Rahul does photography and gaming during his leisure hours and likes to watch anime.
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Edited by:

Pritam Priyedarshi