World record progression 200 metres breaststroke


The first world record in the men's 200 metres breaststroke in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1908 and the first world record in the women's 200 metres breaststroke was recognised in 1921. In the short course swimming events the world's governing body recognizes world records since March 3, 1991.
There have been two rule changes enacted by FINA for this event that have resulted in the nullification of world records.
In the mid-1930s, many breaststroke swimmers began practicing an early variant of the butterfly stroke that involved recovering the arms above the water in an effort to reduce drag. This technique was disallowed when the butterfly stroke was established as a distinct stroke with its own rules in 1953, and world records set using the technique were nullified.
Another style was developed by the Japanese swimmer Masaru Furukawa shortly after this rule change. It involved swimming underwater for as much of each pool length as possible without surfacing, as the act of breaking the water's surface created resistance, slowing a swimmer. This method of swimming the breaststroke was disallowed by FINA in 1956 and records set with the technique were nullified.

Men

Long course

Short course

Women

Long course

Short course

All-time top 25

Men

PosTimeSwimmerDateVenue
12:06.1226 July 2019South Korea
22:06.6728 January 2017Japan
22:06.6725 July 2019South Korea
42:07.0115 September 2012Japan
52:07.1730 June 2016United States
62:07.1816 April 2017Japan
62:07.188 March 2020Antwerp
82:07.232 August 2013Spain
92:07.3024 July 2014Great Britain
102:07.3130 July 2009Italy
112:07.351 September 2017China
122:07.3626 July 2019South Korea
132:07.4128 June 2017United States
142:07.4230 July 2009Italy
152:07.431 August 2012Great Britain
162:07.4610 August 2016Brazil
172:07.4718 August 2014Germany
182:07.4919 April 2019Great Britain
192:07.516 June 2008Japan
202:07.628 August 2019Peru
212:07.739 August 2016Brazil
222:07.774 August 2019Japan
232:07.8031 July 2009Italy
242:07.858 April 2017Sweden
252:07.8930 July 2009Italy

Women

PosTimeSwimmerDateVenue
12:19.111 August 2013Spain
22:19.412 August 2013Spain
32:19.592 August 2012Great Britain
42:19.6430 August 2015Singapore
52:19.654 April 2016Japan
62:20.1230 July 2009Italy
72:20.541 February 2006Australia
82:20.722 August 2012Great Britain
92:20.7719 May 2019United States
102:20.9012 April 2015Japan
112:21.074 July 2019Russia
122:21.3717 October 2009China
132:21.3931 May 2019United States
142:21.4511 April 2016Australia
152:21.6231 July 2009Italy
162:21.741 August 2013Spain
172:21.7728 July 2017Hungary
182:21.7925 July 2019South Korea
192:21.858 April 2018Japan
202:21.9328 July 2017Hungary
212:21.9731 July 2009Italy
222:22.0819 April 2017Great Britain
232:22.2328 July 2017Hungary
242:22.2430 July 2009Italy
252:22.3310 August 2016Brazil