Since the swimming competitions started on February 11 at the World Championships in Doha, Team USA has been racking up gold. Today, February 18, marks the last day of the Championships. Four finals, including finals for freestyle disciplines, are scheduled. Hunter Armstrong, who earned his fifth medal on Day 7 of the competition, will again be competing in the men’s 50-meter backstroke final alongside Michael Andrew.

Two years ago, in April 2022, Andrew established a world record in the men’s 50-meter backstroke final at the Phillips 66 International Team Trials making him a gold pursuit equal. At the time, Armstrong was jubilant, treating the victory as though it were his own. Once more sharing the pool for the finals, can the pair win over hearts and bring a medal for the home country, or will others triumph? There’s more expectation than ever.

Hunter Armstrong returns to finals with Michael Andrew

Armstrong raced the first leg of the US team’s mixed 4×100-meter freestyle relay, winning bronze in yesterday’s event. This was Armstrong’s fifth medal in the event. He then returned for his 50-meter backstroke semifinal to earn a spot shared @nbc4i on X. In the same event, Andrew stormed back to secure his spot clocking 24.43 seconds to earn a spot in the gold chase. But with Isaac Cooper’s time of 24.12 seconds for the 50 meters, Andrew settled for a second-place finish.

Armstrong holds the current world record for the event and is the current world champion. Previously, he won gold in the 100-meter backstroke and mixed medley relays in addition to his bronze in the mixed freestyle relay. He also placed third in all of the men’s freestyle relays. Armstrong, dubbed “The Magic Man,” has now taken home 13 world championship medals in total. Now, the former Buckeye will attempt to win his third individual world crown, but he may add another gold from a relay event.

After the U.S. International Squad Trials in 2022, Armstrong became famous for his backstroke skills. He broke Ryan Murphy’s American record in the 50-back prelims, becoming the second-fastest performer in history with a time of 24.01. However, joining America’s two gold-rushing swimmers are the world’s top qualifiers ready to sweep gold off of their hands.

Athletes to look out for at the 50m finals 

On the final day at the World Aquatics Championships, Michael Andrew, Hugo Gonzalez, Pieter Coetze, Isaac Cooper, Hunter Armstrong, Ksawery Masiuk, Michele Lamberti, and Ole Braunschweig will be vying in the 50-meter backstroke finals. Will Armstrong close off the portfolio in style by winning his sixth medal in Doha? Or will Andrew win out?

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With Team USA on track to win the most swimming medals at the world championships, the Americans have won the medal table 11 times out of the last 12 FINA World Championships, putting all the pressure on the last of its jewels for one last day!

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