We miss racing, so let's reminisce!

Over the next couple weeks, we're taking you back to last summer to celebrate the success of the 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 U.S. Team at the at 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.

Today we look at Caeleb Dressel's 50-meter butterfly gold medal on night two in Gwangju:  

The 2019 FINA World Championships featured a historic performance by Caeleb Dressel, who became the first swimmer in history to capture eight total medals at a single long-course world championships competition. Dressel’s first medal of his time in South Korea came via the 50-meter butterfly on July 22, 2019.

Dressel took to the blocks following an American-record setting performance in the event’s semifinals, when his 22.57 time earned him the top spot in the field. Among the seven swimmers to compete against him in the finals was 2017 world champion in the event, Ben Proud, current world-record holder in the event, Andriy Govorov and U.S. National Team member, Michael Andrew. Dressel surged past the decorated competitors to capture gold in 22.35, marking the first individual swimming gold medal for Team USA at the competition

“Of course, I’m going to be happy with gold,” said Dressel after the race. “That’s faster than two years ago and a better place than two years ago, so I think it’s good and good for Team USA, so I’m happy I can be a part of keeping that ball rolling.”

His time of 22.35 was over three-tenths faster than the second-place finisher, Oleg Kostin of Russia, and bested Dressel’s American record from the day before by over two-tenths. With the impressive showing in South Korea, Dressel now holds each of the top-3 performances in American history, as well as the second-fastest performance in the world, in the 50m butterfly.

“I’m just getting better each race,” said Dressel. “I’m just improving and relaxing. If I try to be fast, I’m no good. It’s best to shut everything off, let instinct take over and have a good race. That’s what I tried to do.”

Dressel’s gold medal made him the first world champion in the event in American history.