For the past twenty years, the swimming G.O.A.T.,?Michael Phelps, held the National Age Group record (15-16) in the 400-yard individual medley. However, his record finally fell on the third day of the Winter Junior Championships 2022. Registering a new record, Keller High sophomore Maximus Williamson grabbed the headlines. Post his win, the parallels were quick to be drawn. While many compared him with ‘the Baltimore Bullet’, the teen expressed disbelief at being compared to Phelps.

Swimming past Michael’s record, the American arsenal has a new star to look up to. On the 9th of December, Maximus crushed Phelps’ record in the 400-yard individual medley. Finishing the race at 3:39.83 seconds, the youngster saved more than two seconds off Michael’s record.

Maximus shared his feelings after breaking Michael Phelps’ record

For those unversed, Maximus Williamson broke the swimming record for the Lakeside Aquatic Club at the 2022 Winter Junior Nationals competition in Austin. Expressing his disbelief, post-win, the youngster?commented, “It’s hard to grasp the concept of what just happened.”

Being his honest self, the new-world record winner said,?“I’m just left speechless to be compared to the GOAT [Greatest of All Time].” Williamson, however, had a goal to reach the finishing line before 40 seconds. Even when he participated last year, he was close but failed to reach the line by a few seconds.

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So this year, he gave his best. Explaining his journey, the 16-year-old commented,?“I was so close to it last year… I think that’s what pushed me the most.”?Maximus’ coach also showered praise on his student. Appreciating his endeavors, the coach remarked that breaking Phelps’ 20 years record is no less of an achievement. However, for young Maximus, it’s not the first time he has broken such records. Even in 2021, he made the headlines when he broke the 13-14 National age group record in 200m free swimming.

Shattering one record after the other?

In 2021, Maximus Williamson at the Texas Age Group Swimming Championships reached the finish line at 1:53.26 seconds. With this, he broke the earlier record of Dare Rose of Scarlet Aquatics in New Jersey. The record of 1:53.30 seconds remained under Rose since 2017. Maximus registered his win with a flick of seconds.

Alongside N.A.G. record-setters Daniel Diehl and Thomas Heilman, Maximus is deemed one of the rising stars in the swimming community. And now, with Phelps’ broken record, the expectations from him are even higher.

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