Gretchen Walsh Rockets Into Gold Contention: Joins Elite Sub-25 Club Ahead of 50 Fly Showdown at 2025 Worlds…Read More…
With the World Aquatics Championships fast approaching, the women’s 50m butterfly is shaping up to be one of the most electric sprint races of the meet—and at the center of it all is 21-year-old American sprint sensation Gretchen Walsh. After clocking a jaw-dropping 24.96 earlier this season, Walsh has not only stamped her name in the elite sub-25 club but also emerged as the frontrunner for gold in an event where margins are razor-thin and milliseconds can define greatness.
Her blistering performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials last month didn’t just earn her a ticket to Singapore—it sent shockwaves across the global swimming community. That 24.96 swim made Walsh the second-fastest performer in history, trailing only world record holder Sarah Sjöström of Sweden, who set the record of 24.43 in 2014. With Sjöström expected to sit out the 50 fly this year, Walsh now stands alone as the clear favorite heading into Worlds.
A Historic Milestone
Breaking the 25-second barrier in the women’s 50 fly is an achievement reserved for only a select few. Before Walsh joined the club, it included just a handful of names—Sjöström, Ranomi Kromowidjojo, and Melanie Henique. To swim under 25 seconds in a non-Olympic event requires not only explosive speed but also flawless technical execution in a race that’s over in the blink of an eye.
“Going 24.9 was honestly surreal,” Walsh said after the race in Indianapolis. “I’ve been working on my start, my breakouts, and just maximizing every stroke. This was the moment it all came together.”
Indeed, her start was nearly textbook-perfect: a reaction time of 0.62 seconds, an ultra-streamlined entry, and a dolphin kick phase that separated her from the field by the 15-meter mark. The transition to the surface and her stroke rate through the final meters left no room for her competitors to catch up.
The Journey to the Top
Walsh’s rise has been meteoric but not without its challenges. Known for her versatility, she first made waves in the NCAA swimming scene with the University of Virginia, helping lead the Cavaliers to multiple team titles. But transitioning from yards to meters and from college stardom to international elite status is no easy feat.
Her breakout on the global stage began at the 2023 World Championships, where she placed 4th in the 50 fly—a bittersweet result that left her hungry for more. “I was close, but not close enough,” she admitted after that race. “It was fuel for the fire.”
Since then, Walsh has taken a laser-focused approach to her sprinting craft. Under the guidance of coach Todd DeSorbo, she’s honed her underwater work and refined her tempo, knowing that in a 50, there’s no room for error. And her performances across the 2024-2025 season have shown an athlete who’s not just improving—but evolving.
The Global Field
Despite Walsh’s leading time, the race for gold is anything but guaranteed. France’s Mélanie Henique, now 32, continues to defy age and expectations. Her 25.12 earlier this year is still among the top times globally and shows she remains a podium threat.
Meanwhile, rising star Zhang Yufei of China is expected to double in both the 100 fly and 50 fly. While she’s traditionally stronger in the longer event, her recent 25.21 shows she has the sprint speed to contend.
Also in the mix is Australia’s Emma McKeon, who, though focusing more on freestyle in recent years, has hinted at contesting the 50 fly in Singapore. Her proven track record and start speed make her a wildcard that could disrupt predictions.
But all eyes remain on Walsh, who now has a target on her back. Being the favorite in a race defined by unpredictability is a double-edged sword. Any slight miscue—a poor start, a mistimed breakout, a missed stroke—could spell disaster.
“It’s an honor to be considered the favorite, but honestly, I try not to think about it too much,” Walsh told reporters during Team USA’s training camp. “I just want to swim my race, hit my marks, and trust the work we’ve done.”
USA’s Sprint Resurgence
Walsh’s rise is part of a broader sprint renaissance for Team USA on the women’s side. With athletes like Torri Huske, Claire Curzan, and Kate Douglass also making international waves, the U.S. women are fielding one of their strongest butterfly lineups in decades.
And with the 50 fly serving as a tone-setter early in the World Championships schedule, Walsh has the opportunity to not only win individual gold but also build momentum for the American team as a whole.
“She’s at the peak of her powers,” said NBC analyst and former Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin. “When she’s on, she makes it look effortless. I think this is just the beginning for her.”
Looking Ahead
The women’s 50 fly final is set for July 29th at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore, and it promises to be one of the most watched events of the meet. Whether Walsh delivers on her golden promise or is challenged by the seasoned veterans remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Gretchen Walsh has officially arrived, and the swimming world is watching.
If she can replicate or even improve upon her sub-25 swim, she won’t just win a medal—she’ll etch her name into sprinting history.
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