Who Will Be the Next Sub-52 Performer in the Women’s 100 Freestyle? The Contenders Are Lined Up
Only two women have ever cracked the 52-second barrier in the 100-meter freestyle. While Swedish superstar Sarah Sjostrom first accomplished the feat at the 2017 World Championships, where she clocked a world record of 51.71, Emma McKeon joined the club at the 2020 Olympic Games. In Tokyo, McKeon registered a gold-medal performance of 51.96, the effort one of seven medals for the Australian.
Will we see the next sub-52 marker this summer?
Several athletes could make a run at a 51-point showing in the coming months, the Commonwealth Games, European Championships and Pan Pacific Championships all prospective sites. Among the contenders is Dutchwoman Marrit Steenbergen, the back-to-back world champion in the 100 freestyle. Steenbergen owns a personal best of 52.26, posted at the 2024 World Champs, and the 26-year-old ripped a 51.64 anchor leg on the Netherlands’ 400 freestyle relay at last year’s Worlds.
Meanwhile, Aussie Mollie O’Callaghan might be best known for her prowess in the 200 freestyle, but she is a two-time world champion in the 100 freestyle (2022/2023) and is the No. 7 performer in history with a best mark of 52.08. O’Callaghan is expected to compete at both the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs during the summer, so she’ll have multiple opportunities to push the 52-second barrier.
During 2023 World Cup action, Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey just missed a 51-point performance, as she clocked 52.02 in Berlin. Although that time in three years old, Haughey has looked strong during 2026, going 52.77 in the 100 free and 1:54.85 in the 200 free in February. Those early-season outings serve as positive signs for the multi-time Olympic medalist.
On the American front, Torri Huske has been the steadiest performer in the 100 freestyle over the past two years, going 52.29 at the 2024 Olympic Games and registering a best of 52.43 in 2025. Huske has consistently improved in the 100 freestyle and a drop this summer could put her in the mix for a sub-52 time at Pan Pacs. Could Kate Douglass make a run as well? What about rising star Rylee Erisman?
The contenders for the next 51.xx performance are plentiful. Let’s see who can put together the ideal race to visit this unique territory.
