The Stunning Age-Group Records of Australian Legend Ian Thorpe
We had some fun recently looking at the premier National Age Group (NAG) records in the United States, where legendary names like Mary T. Meagher, Sippy Woodhead, Michael Phelps and Aaron Peirsol still have a presence. While working on those articles, there was time for a temporary detour. And so, a visit was made to the Swimming Australia website, specifically to the list of Australian age-group records.
Unlike the United States, which recognizes age-group records in two-year spans (9-10; 11-12; 13-14; 15-16; 17-18), Australia lists records for each year, but only beginning at 13. Plenty of household names also appeared on the Australian pages, headlined by Ian Thorpe. Truthfully, looking at Thorpe’s records was mesmerizing, a reminder of the legend’s greatness and precocious nature.
Which age-group record of Thorpe’s is the greatest? It’s difficult to identify one mark, since arguments can be crafted for several performances. When forced to offer an answer, a slight lean goes to the 3:41.83 produced by a 16-year-old Thorpe in the 400-meter freestyle. That time, which was delivered at the 1999 Pan Pacific Championships in Sydney, was good for a world record, and cut nearly two seconds off of Kieran Perkins’ previous mark of 3:43.80, posted at the 1994 World Championships.
As a 15-year-old, Thorpe won a world title in the 400 freestyle and clocked 3:44.35 in the event, a feat he accomplished at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. His 17-year-old year was highlighted by a world record of 3:40.59 in the 400 free and a swim of 1:45.37 in the 200 freestyle, both performances logged at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Then there was his 18-year-old campaign, where he recorded world records in the 200 freestyle (1:44.06), 400 freestyle (3:40.17) and 800 freestyle (7:39.16) at the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka.
Here is a look at Thorpe’s age-group records, with the corresponding U.S. age-group standards in parentheses:
Most Impressive U.S. Age Group Records (Men)
Most Impressive U.S. Age Group Records (Women)
18-Year-Old Age Group
200 Freestyle: 1:44.06 (Michael Phelps – 1:45.99)
400 Freestyle: 3:40.17 (Ryan Erisman/Ethan Ekk – 3:46.01)
800 Freestyle: 7:39.16 (Luke Whitlock – 7:45.19)
17-Year-Old Age Group
200 Freestyle: 1:45.37
400 Freestyle: 3:40.59
16-Year-Old Age Group
200 Freestyle: 1:46.00 (Luka Mijatovic – 1:45.92)
400 Freestyle: 3:41.83 (Luka Mijatovic – 3:45.71)
15-Year-Old Age Group
200 Freestyle: 1:46.70
400 Freestyle: 3:44.35
14-Year-Old Age Group
200 Freestyle: 1:50.07 (Luka Mijatovic – 1:49.63)
400 Freestyle: 3:49.64 (Luka Mijatovic – 3:51.18)
