While the 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup tour saw an unprecedented barrage of World and Continental Records fall, American sprinter Chris Guiliano quietly emerged as one of the circuit’s most consistent and versatile forces, solidifying his position as a major player in global freestyle swimming.
Across the three-stop World Cup tour, Guiliano, an Olympic gold and silver medalist, amassed an impressive portfolio of results in the short-course meters (SCM) format, a discipline he had previously focused less on.
Total Top-Five Finishes: Guiliano achieved nine top-five finishes over the three stops (Carmel, USA; Toronto, CAN; and Budapest, HUN).
Highlight Victory: He secured a gold medal in the Men’s 50m Freestyle at the opening stop in Carmel.
Consistent Podiums: Guiliano earned five runner-up finishes, showcasing remarkable consistency across the 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle events.
Despite viewing the World Cup as a “mid-season meet” focused on training and racing experience, Guiliano’s performance proved far from casual. His times not only earned him medals but also placed him among the all-time fastest performers in SCM history.
200m Freestyle: Guiliano’s final swim of 1:40.19 for second place in Toronto made him the No. 7 all-time SCM performer in the event, and the second-fastest American ever.
100m Freestyle: He moved into the Top 15 all-time list, with his best time of 45.50 seconds.
His performances confirm his incredible range, which previously saw him become the first American man since Matt Biondi (1988) to qualify for the Olympics in the 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle individual events. As the US men’s team eyes the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Guiliano’s consistent presence and rapid improvement in SCM suggest he will be a cornerstone of their freestyle program.
