The Men’s World Records Ranked by Dominance; Adam Peaty Leads the Way (Full Rankings)
When Leon Marchand broke the world record in the semifinals of the 200-meter individual medley at the World Championships in Singapore, it marked the takedown of a longstanding global standard. Since 2011, American Ryan Lochte held the record, behind a performance of 1:54.00. Marchand came close to the mark at the 2024 Olympic Games, where he raced to the gold medal in 1:54.06.
Really, it was a matter of time before Marchand would take the event into 1:53-range and bump Lochte from atop the event’s historical pecking order. But the Frenchman didn’t just clip the standard at Worlds, he obliterated it with a time of 1:52.69. By taking more than a second off the previous record, Marchand now stands 1.15% faster than Lochte and the time he posted at the 2011 World Championships.
Marchand’s gap triggered curiosity. What is the percentage difference between the world record and the No. 2 performer of all-time in the 17 individual events that are contested in the long-course pool? We’re starting with the men’s records, and will follow with a women’s version.
After cruniching the numbers, it turns out that Adam Peaty owns the biggest difference between a world-record holder and the No. 2 performer in history. In the 100 breaststroke, Peaty’s best of 56.88 is 1.41% faster than the 57.69 of China’s Qin Haiyang, who sits second in the event. The way Peaty has dominated the 100 breaststroke during his career, seeing the British star on top of this list is not a surprise.
The tightest difference was found in the 1500 freestyle, where Bobby Finke’s world record of 14:30.67, set at the 2024 Paris Games, is .04% clear of Sun Yang and his 14:31.02, which made him the 2012 Olympic champ.
Here is a look, in order, at which men’s world records boast the greatest dominance over the athlete who ranks in the second position.
I know it wouldn’t count for a world record but some recognition for the faster #2 all-time Men’s 100 Back from the NAV lead-off Lifintsev might be fun. :51.78.
“NAB” lead-off.
Mixed relay lead-off.
I considered it, but since it is not an officially recognized time, I went with the official mark of Kolesnikov. Staying consistent to the rules.