List of African records in swimming

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The African records in swimming are the fastest times ever by a swimmer representing an African country. These records are ratified by Africa Aquatics (previously CANA) the African Aquatic Confederation

Africa

All records were set in finals unless noted otherwise.

Long Course (50 m)

Men

More information Event, Time ...
Event Time NameNationalityDateMeetLocation Ref
50 m freestyle 21.67 =Roland Schoeman South Africa 16 August 2008Olympic Games Beijing, China
50 m freestyle 21.67 =, sfRoland Schoeman South Africa 2 August 2013World Championships Barcelona, Spain [1]
100 m freestyle 47.79 hLyndon Ferns South Africa 29 July 2009World Championships Rome, Italy [2]
200 m freestyle 1:45.20 Chad le Clos South Africa 8 August 2016Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [3]
400 m freestyle 3:40.70 Ahmed Hafnaoui  Tunisia 23 July 2023World Championships Fukuoka, Japan [4]
800 m freestyle 7:35.27 Oussama Mellouli Tunisia 29 July 2009World Championships Rome, Italy [5]
1500 m freestyle 14:31.54 Ahmed Hafnaoui  Tunisia 30 July 2023World Championships Fukuoka, Japan [6]
50 m backstroke 24.17 Pieter Coetze  South Africa 3 August 2025World Championships Singapore, Singapore [7]
100 m backstroke 51.71 r, CRPieter Coetze  South Africa 29 July 2026Commonwealth Games Glasgow, United Kingdom [8]
200 m backstroke 1:53.36 Pieter Coetze  South Africa 1 August 2025World Championships Singapore, Singapore [9]
50 m breaststroke 26.38 sf,†Michael Houlie  South Africa 24 July 2026Commonwealth Games Glasgow, United Kingdom [10]
100 m breaststroke 58.46 Cameron van der Burgh South Africa 29 July 2012Olympic Games London, United Kingdom [11][12]
200 m breaststroke 2:09.61 sfNeil Versfeld South Africa 30 July 2009World Championships Rome, Italy [13]
50 m butterfly 22.80 Abdelrahman Sameh  Egypt 18 May 2025Mare Nostrum Monte Carlo, Monaco [14]
100 m butterfly 50.56 Chad le Clos South Africa 8 August 2015World Championships Kazan, Russia [15]
200 m butterfly 1:52.96 Chad le Clos South Africa 31 July 2012Olympic Games London, United Kingdom [16]
200 m individual medley 1:57.03 sfDarian Townsend South Africa 25 April 2009French Championships Montpellier, France [17]
400 m individual medley 4:10.53 Oussama Mellouli Tunisia 29 June 2009Mediterranean Games Pescara, Italy [18]
4×50m freestyle relay 1:28.78
 South Africa 2 April 2003 -
4×100 m freestyle relay 3:11.93
South Africa 26 July 2009 World Championships Rome, Italy [19]
4×200 m freestyle relay 7:08.01 h
South Africa 31 July 2009 World Championships Rome, Italy [20]
4×100 m medley relay 3:31.13
 South Africa 29 July 2026 Commonwealth Games Glasgow, United Kingdom [21]
Close
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by CANA; WR – World record; CR – Commonwealth record;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; so – swim-off; tt – time trial

Women

More information Event, Time ...
Event Time NameNationalityDateMeetLocation Ref
50m freestyle 24.62 sfFarida Osman Egypt 29 July 2017World Championships Budapest, Hungary [22]
100m freestyle 54.23 Erin Gallagher  South Africa 9 April 2018Commonwealth Games Gold Coast, Australia [23]
200m freestyle 1:56.59 hAimee Canny  South Africa 17 June 2026TYR Pro Swim Series Indianapolis, United States [24]
400m freestyle 4:07.92 Karin Prinsloo South Africa 31 January 2014Aquatic Super Series Perth, Australia [25]
800m freestyle 8:25.71 Wendy Trott South Africa 14 June 2012Trofeo Sette Colli Rome, Italy
1500m freestyle 16:05.63 hWendy Trott South Africa 25 July 2011World Championships Shanghai, China [26]
50m backstroke 27.67 Jessica Thompson  South Africa 18 March 2026South African Youth Championships Gqeberha, South Africa [27]
100m backstroke 58.77 sfKirsty Coventry Zimbabwe 11 August 2008Olympic Games Beijing, China
200m backstroke 2:04.81 Kirsty Coventry Zimbabwe 1 August 2009World Championships Rome, Italy [28]
50m breaststroke 29.72 h, CRLara van Niekerk  South Africa 6 April 2022South African Championships Port Elizabeth, South Africa [29]
100m breaststroke 1:04.82 h, CRTatjana Schoenmaker  South Africa 25 July 2021Olympic Games Tokyo, Japan [30]
200m breaststroke 2:18.95 CRTatjana Schoenmaker  South Africa 30 July 2021Olympic Games Tokyo, Japan [31]
50m butterfly 25.38 Farida Osman  Egypt 24 June 2022World Championships Budapest, Hungary [32]
100m butterfly 57.24 Erin Gallagher  South Africa 14 August 2026Pan Pacific Championships Irvine, United States [33]
200m butterfly 2:09.41 hKatheryn Meaklim South Africa 12 August 2008Olympic Games Beijing, China
200m individual medley 2:08.59 Kirsty Coventry Zimbabwe 13 August 2008Olympic Games Beijing, China
400m individual medley 4:29.89 Kirsty Coventry Zimbabwe 9 August 2008Olympic Games Beijing, China
4×50m freestyle relay 1:45.66
  • L. Kemp
  • K. Ross
  • A. Peens
  • V. Mohr
 South Africa Tuks 10 April 2014 South African Championships South Africa
4×100m freestyle relay 3:38.67
 South Africa 24 July 2026 Commonwealth Games Glasgow, United Kingdom [34]
4×200m freestyle relay 8:01.56 h
 South Africa 28 July 2021 Olympic Games Tokyo, Japan [35]
4×100m medley relay 3:58.58
 South Africa 29 July 2026 Commonwealth Games Glasgow, United Kingdom [36]
Close
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by CANA; WR – World record; CR – Commonwealth record;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; so – swim-off; tt – time trial

Mixed relay

More information Event, Time ...
Event Time NameNationalityDateMeetLocation Ref
4×100 m freestyle relay 3:28.51
  • Guy Brooks
     (49.55)
  • Ruard Van Renen
     (49.20)
  • Olivia Nel
     (54.72)
  • Michaela De Villiers
     (55.04)
  South Africa 21 July 2025 World University Games Berlin, Germany [37]
4×100 m medley relay 3:42.61
 South Africa 28 July 2026 Commonwealth Games Glasgow, United Kingdom [38]
Close
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by CANA; WR – World record;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; so – swim-off

Short Course (25 m)

Men

More information Event, Time ...
Event Time NameNationalityDateMeetLocation Ref
50 m freestyle 20.30 Roland Schoeman  South Africa 8 August 2009South African Championships Pietermaritzburg, South Africa [39]
100 m freestyle 45.78 Chad le Clos  South Africa 6 August 2017World Cup Berlin, Germany [40]
200 m freestyle 1:40.65 Matthew Sates  South Africa 3 October 2021World Cup Berlin, Germany [41]
400 m freestyle 3:36.30 Matthew Sates  South Africa 21 October 2022World Cup Berlin, Germany [42]
800 m freestyle 7:31.93 Ahmed Jaouadi  Tunisia 14 December 2024World Championships Budapest, Hungary [43]
1500 m freestyle 14:10.94 Ahmed Hafnaoui  Tunisia 21 December 2021World Championships Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates [44]
50m backstroke 22.75 Pieter Coetze  South Africa 1 November 2024World Cup Singapore, Singapore [45]
100m backstroke 49.35 Pieter Coetze  South Africa 20 October 2024World Cup Shanghai, China [46]
200m backstroke 1:47.08 George Du Rand South Africa 7 November 2009World Cup Moscow, Russia
50m breaststroke 25.25 CRCameron van der Burgh South Africa 14 November 2009World Cup Berlin, Germany
100m breaststroke 55.61 Cameron van der Burgh South Africa 15 November 2009World Cup Berlin, Germany
200m breaststroke 2:02.56 Neil Versfeld South Africa 14 November 2009World Cup Berlin, Germany
50m butterfly 21.87 Roland Schoeman South Africa 14 November 2009World Cup Berlin, Germany
100m butterfly 48.08 CRChad le Clos South Africa 8 December 2016World Championships Windsor, Canada [47]
200m butterfly 1:48.27 Chad le Clos  South Africa 15 December 2022World Championships Melbourne, Australia [48]
100m individual medley 51.05 CRGerhard Zandberg South Africa 14 November 2009World Cup Berlin, Germany
200m individual medley 1:50.15 CRMatthew Sates  South Africa 13 December 2022World Championships Melbourne, Australia [49]
400m individual medley 3:57.40 Oussama Mellouli Tunisia 16 December 2010World Championships Dubai, United Arab Emirates [50]
4×50m freestyle relay 1:24.14
 South Africa 14 December 2018 World Championships Hangzhou, China [51]
4×100m freestyle relay 3:12.87 h
South Africa 3 December 2014 World Championships Doha, Qatar [52]
4×200m freestyle relay 6:52.13
South Africa 4 December 2014 World Championships Doha, Qatar [53]
4×50m medley relay 1:32.56
 Egypt 20 December 2021 World Championships Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates [54]
4×100m medley relay 3:30.83 h
 Egypt 21 December 2021 World Championships Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates [55]
Close
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by CANA; WR – World record; CR – Commonwealth record;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; so – swim-off; tt – time trial

Women

More information Event, Time ...
Event Time NameNationalityDateMeetLocation Ref
50 m freestyle 24.14 hCaitlin De Lange  South Africa 14 December 2024World Championships Budapest, Hungary [56]
100 m freestyle 52.70 sfErin Gallagher  South Africa 12 December 2018World Championships Hangzhou, China [57]
200 m freestyle 1:54.13 Aimee Canny  South Africa 18 October 2024Virginia vs Florida Dual Meet Charlottesville, United States [58]
400 m freestyle 4:03.50 Melissa Corfe  South Africa 11 April 2008World Championships Manchester, Great Britain
800 m freestyle 8:22.05 Jessica Pengelly  South Africa 4 November 2011World Cup Singapore, Singapore
1500 m freestyle 16:09.12 Stephanie Houtman  South Africa 13 December 2024World Championships Budapest, Hungary [59]
50m backstroke 26.85 =Kirsty Coventry  Zimbabwe 13 April 2008World Championships Manchester, United Kingdom [60]
50m backstroke 26.85 =Jessica Thompson  South Africa 26 September 2025South African Championships Pietermaritzburg, South Africa [61]
100m backstroke 56.56 Chanelle Van Wyk  South Africa 15 November 2009World Cup Berlin, Germany
200m backstroke 2:00.91 Kirsty Coventry  Zimbabwe 11 April 2008World Championships Manchester, United Kingdom [62]
50m breaststroke 29.09 Lara van Niekerk  South Africa 18 December 2022World Championships Melbourne, Australia [63]
100m breaststroke 1:03.89 Tatjana Schoenmaker  South Africa 25 October 2020South African Championships Pietermaritzburg, South Africa [64]
200m breaststroke 2:18.02 Tatjana Schoenmaker  South Africa 26 October 2020South African Championships Pietermaritzburg, South Africa [65]
50m butterfly 25.31 Farida Osman  Egypt 17 November 2019International Swimming League College Park, United States [66]
100m butterfly 56.46 Farida Osman  Egypt 20 December 2019International Swimming League Las Vegas, United States [67]
200m butterfly 2:04.24 Mandy Loots South Africa 21 November 2009World Cup Singapore, Singapore
100m individual medley 57.69 sfRebecca Meder  South Africa 12 December 2024World Championships Budapest, Hungary [68]
200m individual medley 2:05.56 Rebecca Meder  South Africa 12 October 2025World Cup Carmel, United States [69]
400m individual medley 4:22.88 Katheryn Meaklim South Africa 21 November 2009World Cup Singapore, Singapore
4×50m freestyle relay 1:40.80 h
 South Africa 15 December 2022 World Championships Melbourne, Australia [70]
4×100m freestyle relay 3:41.57 h
 South Africa 13 December 2022 World Championships Melbourne, Australia [71]
4×200m freestyle relay 8:02.49 h
South Africa 12 December 2012 World Championships Istanbul, Turkey [72]
4×50m medley relay 1:52.16 h
South Africa 5 December 2014 World Championships Doha, Qatar [73]
4×100m medley relay 3:57.68 h
 South Africa 15 December 2024 World Championships Budapest, Hungary [74]
Close
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by CANA; WR – World record; CR – Commonwealth record;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; so – swim-off; tt – time trial

Mixed relay

More information Event, Time ...
Event Time NameNationalityDateMeetLocation Ref
4×50 m freestyle relay 1:33.19
South Africa 6 December 2014 World Championships Doha, Qatar [75]
4×50 m medley relay 1:41.32 h
  • Jessica Thompson
     (27.16)
  • Michael Houlie
     (25.67)
  • Caitlin de Lange
     (26.40)
  • Kris Mihaylov
     (22.09)
  South Africa 11 December 2024 World Championships Budapest, Hungary [76]
4×100 m medley relay 3:37.71 h
 South Africa 14 December 2024 World Championships Budapest, Hungary [77]
Close
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by CANA; WR – World record;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; so – swim-off

Record holders' rankings

By nation

More information Nation, Record tally ...
Nation Record
tally		 LC SC Total LC SC Total LC SC Total
Men Women Mixed
 South Africa71171834141832235
 Zimbabwe9628
 Tunisia7437
 Egypt7122134
Total91202343202343235
Close

References

External links

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