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In a remarkable display of speed and skill, Canadian swimmer Josh Liendo set a new world record in the 100-meter butterfly during the opening night of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Toronto. This accomplishment not only signifies a personal triumph for Liendo but also underscores his impressive journey in the sport.
The Pan Am Sports Centre holds special significance for the 23-year-old athlete, as it is the venue where he established national records and made his Olympic debut. On this memorable Thursday evening, Liendo clocked a time of 47.68 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 47.71 seconds held by Switzerland’s Noe Ponti, who finished third with a time of 48.38 seconds.
Record-breaking performances
Liendo’s historic achievement represented more than just a personal milestone; it also came with a substantial reward of $12,500, with $10,000 allocated for breaking the world record. In an interview with CBC Sports’ Devin Heroux, Liendo expressed his surprise and excitement upon seeing the record time.
“I would have been happy if I saw 48 [seconds] up on the board. Seeing that world record [time], I kinda just went nuts,” he stated, capturing the exhilaration of the moment.
The atmosphere in the arena played a significant role in his performance, as he acknowledged the supportive crowd.
“This pool’s awesome, the crowd’s awesome, so I guess that helped pull me along,” he noted, reflecting on the energy that surrounded him during the race.
Double triumph in Toronto
In addition to his success in the butterfly event, Liendo excelled in the 50-meter freestyle, securing a gold medal later that evening.
His winning time of 20.31 seconds not only earned him victory but also established a new World Cup record, narrowly defeating American swimmer Jack Alexy by 0.39 seconds. The competitive spirit was evident, as Ilya Kharun from Montreal earned the silver medal in the butterfly event, further enhancing Canada’s standing on the international swimming stage.
Kharun, who previously held the Canadian record at 49 seconds, achieved a personal best of 48.35 seconds during the race, demonstrating his own exceptional talent.
Historic significance in swimming
For Liendo, this event transcended personal accolades; it signified his journey as an athlete. Last year, he made headlines as the first Black Canadian swimmer to win an Olympic medal, securing a silver in the 100m butterfly in Paris. He was subsequently recognized as Swimming Canada’s male swimmer of the year, acknowledging his commitment and effort.
During the Paris Olympics, Liendo and Kharun made history as the first Canadian men to reach the podium in the 100m butterfly since Bruce Robertson captured silver in 1972. Their achievements have inspired a new generation of swimmers in Canada, illustrating that excellence is achievable.
Exciting prospects ahead
The Toronto competition, which continues through Saturday, promises more thrilling events. Fans can catch live updates streaming daily on CBC Sports and CBC Gem. As the series progresses, the excitement heightens, especially with other talented swimmers like Summer McIntosh and Kylie Masse showcasing their abilities, despite McIntosh’s recent withdrawal due to illness.
On the opening night of the competition, additional world records were set, including a remarkable performance by Hungary’s Hubert Kos, who established a new world mark in the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 1:45.12, breaking the previous record of 1:45.63 held by Australia’s Mitch Larkin.
The Pan Am Sports Centre holds special significance for the 23-year-old athlete, as it is the venue where he established national records and made his Olympic debut. On this memorable Thursday evening, Liendo clocked a time of 47.68 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 47.71 seconds held by Switzerland’s Noe Ponti, who finished third with a time of 48.38 seconds.0
