Luke Hobson Breaks Michael Phelps 200 Free US Record

Luke Hobson, a Reno High graduate and 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, broke Michael Phelps' 17-year-old U.S. Open record in the 200-meter freestyle with a time of 1:43.73 at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. This performance makes Hobson the only American besides Phelps to swim under 1:44.00, positioning him as the fifth-fastest performer ever in the event and the sixth swimmer worldwide to break the 1:44 barrier. Hobson's race included a world-record pace split at the 50-meter mark and was the fastest time globally in 2025, making him a co-favorite for the upcoming World Championships in Singapore. He is one of only two active swimmers to achieve this feat, alongside Olympic champion David Popovici. Hobson's record-breaking swim ended Phelps' previous U.S. Open record of 1:44.10 set in 2008 and solidifies his status as a leading figure in American swimming. The race also featured Gabriel Jett finishing second with a significant personal best, underscoring the depth of talent in U.S. men's freestyle swimming.