‘Greatest swim in history’ as German teen shatters world record

German Johannes Liebmann has shattered the 1500m world record at the European Championships in Paris on Sunday.

After spending most of the race comfortably ahead of the world record line chasing him, Liebmann ultimately slashed the record by just under four seconds.

Johannes Liebmann shatters the 1500m world record Twitter

The 19-year-old becomes the first swimmer to complete the event in under 14 minutes and 30 seconds, finishing in 14 minutes and 26.79 seconds.

He becomes the youngest man to break the 1500m freestyle record since Australian Kieren Perkins did so in 1992 at age 18.

The previous record was held by American Bobby Finke, who set it at the Paris Olympics. The record was previously held by controversial Chinese swimmer Sun Yang.

American swimming commentator Kyle Sockwell couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Liebmann has been competing in both pool and open water events in Paris, making his performance even more extraordinary.

Elswhere, American swimmer Kate Douglass also set a world record in the women’s 50-meter freestyle in the preliminary heats at the Pan Pacific Championships on Sunday.

The 24-year-old from the New York City suburb of Pelham touched in 23.49 seconds in her heat at the outdoor pool in Irvine, California.

Douglass lowered the mark of 23.55 set by teammate Gretchen Walsh at an international meet in Rome in June.

Kate Douglass of Team United States reacts after setting the World Record for the Women’s 50m Freestyle. getty

It’s the second time Douglass has lowered the world mark in the sprint race. She first did it on June 19 at the TYR Pro Swim Series meet in Indianapolis, posting a time of 23.59. Nine days later, Walsh lowered it again.

Douglass is a five-time Olympic medallist. She earned silver in the 50 free at the 2024 world championships, but didn’t compete in the event at the 2024 Paris Games.

Walsh swam in the heat after Douglass and was timed in 23.78, making them the top two qualifiers for the evening final on the final day of competition in Irvine.

Australian Meg Harris set the third fastest time in the heats, with 24.22.