FLASH! Kate Douglass Stuns With World Record in 50 Freestyle at Indy Pro Series
The title of fastest female swimmer in history now belongs to Kate Douglass. The 24-year-old put forth a stunning performance Friday evening at USA Swimming Pro Series in Indianapolis as she took down the world record in the women’s 50 freestyle.
Douglass swam a time of 23.59 to take two hundredths off the previous world record of 23.61, which was set by Sarah Sjostrom in 2023. The versatile 23-year-old pulled away from Gretchen Walsh over the second 25 meters to achieve the historic swim. In the process, Douglass annihilated the previous American record of 23.91, which she shared with Walsh.
Walsh took second in 23.78, well under the previous domestic mark. Walsh moved into a tie with former Australian great Cate Campbell for the fifth-fastest in history in the process, trailing Douglass, Sjostrom, Britta Steffen and Pernille Blume. Other than Douglass, the three faster swimmers have all won Olympic gold medals in the splash-and-dash.
The performance from Douglass broke Sjostrom’s stranglehold on the all-time rankings in the 50 free. The Swede is a four-time world champion in the 50 free and won Olympic gold in the event in Paris, recording the seven quickest performances in history along the way. Sjostrom is returning to the sport this year following the birth of her first child, and she will attempt to respond to this record swim at this summer’s European Championships.
Anna Moesch, who trains alongside Douglass and Walsh at the University of Virginia, placed third in 24.20, surpassing her previous best time of 24.27 she clocked at the AP London International last month. Moesch moved up to No. 4 in the world rankings for 2026 behind Douglass, Walsh and Australian world champion Meg Harris. Torri Huske swam a time of 24.27 for fourth, still good for seventh in the world rankings.
Event 21 Women 50 LC Meter Freestyle
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World: W 23.61 7/29/2023 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
American: A 23.91 2/18/2024 K Douglass / G Walsh (6/7/25), USA
U.S. Open: O 23.91 6/7/2025 Gretchen Walsh, New York Athleti
Pro Swim: M 24.17 1/16/2016 Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden
Jr World: 24.17 5/14/2021 Claire Curzan, TAC
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
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=== A - Final ===
1 Douglass, Kate 24 New York Athleti 24.26 23.59W
r:+0.67
2 Walsh, Gretchen 23 New York Athleti 24.63 23.78A
r:+0.70
3 Moesch, Anna 20 Greater Somerset 24.54 24.20
r:+0.72
4 Huske, Torri 23 New York Athleti 24.83 24.27
r:+0.58
5 Wasick, Kasia 34 Unattached-NT 24.64 24.38
r:+0.66
6 Vincent, Cadence 21 Univ Alabama Swi 24.69 24.61
r:+0.65
7 Clark, Liberty 18 Indiana Universi 24.88 24.70
r:+0.61
8 Paegle, Kristina 22 Indiana Universi 24.93 24.74
r:+0.66