James Magnussen: Pan Zhanle’s 100m freestyle final win over Kyle Chalmers down to an insane swim

I’ve never seen anything like that in my entire life – JAMES MAGNUSSEN breaks down an incredible men’s 100m freestyle final, which saw the world record obliterated.

I never thought I would see that in my lifetime.

That was a huge performance from Pan Zhanle.

He went out in 22.28 and back 24.12 — that is just insane speed.

The race was probably over at the 35m mark.

Nobody was near him.

I’ve never seen anything like that in my entire life.

Kyle Chalmers did a huge job in that last 25m to get into the silver medal position.

He might be disappointed now but when he reflects on his performance and what he has achieved in this event he should be very proud.

It was one of those races where one swimmer stands out, and the others are all in the wash.

Kyle was eighth at the 50m mark, so for him to come home in 24.45 and secure the silver in 47.48s is an enormous swim and something he will realise is an amazing achievement should be very proud of when he looks back on that race.

We haven’t seen any fast swimming here all week, and to now see a 46.40s world record in the men’s 100m freestyle — that is just insane.

Kyle Chalmers congratulates Zhanle Pan after the race. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

I thought a 47s could have gotten the job done but that is a historic swim.

As I said, I didn’t think I would see a 46.40s in my lifetime.

The way 100m freestyle has progressed in the last two years – Pan alone is half a second faster than anyone else in the world.

He won that race by more than a second.

That is unheard of in sprint swimming.

And the crazy thing is Pan almost missed the semis with his heat swim.

But yeah, Pan has blown me away.

Kyle must be happy with the silver, he realistically would have known that his chances of going 46 were pretty slim.

Kyle Chalmers’ third 100m freestyle medal across three Olympic Games. Picture: Sarah Stier/Getty Images

To come away with a silver medal, his third medal in this event at three Olympics, in this event, is remarkable.

You just don’t see the longevity in these sprint freestyle events because there’s so much competition.

Every year there’s a new name popping up both domestically and internationally.

For Kyle to have the longevity of three Olympics, and now three medals, in the individual 100m freestyle is a rare achievement.

He’s Australia’s go-to guy in the relays and he’s been rock solid in this men’s 100m freestyle now for eight years.

It’s a huge achievement for him. I hope he doesn’t feel too disappointed, he shouldn’t.

When he reflects on this in time, he’ll be very proud of the effort.

But to see someone going 46.40 and in an Olympic final you just don’t see it.

Wow.

Originally published as James Magnussen: Pan Zhanle’s 100m freestyle final win over Kyle Chalmers down to an insane swim