Noè Ponti has emerged as a dominant force at the World Championships in Budapest, winning three gold medals and breaking three world records. At just 23 years old, he excelled in the 50 and 100 m butterfly events, showcasing exceptional underwater skills. His notable achievements include a record-breaking 100 m butterfly time of 47.71 seconds, surpassing Olympic champion Caeleb Dressel. Despite facing challenges post-Olympics, Ponti’s recent success has reignited his passion and solidified his status in the sport.
Noè Ponti: A Swimming Sensation at the World Championships
Noè Ponti has emerged as the shining star of the men’s World Championships in Budapest, clinching three gold medals and setting three remarkable world records. This impressive feat marks a significant highlight in his post-Olympic career. Just over a month ago, Ponti kickstarted this phase of exceptional performances at the World Cup in Asia, where he dominated the 50 and 100 m butterfly events, breaking the world record twice in the 50 m category.
Breaking Records and Setting New Standards
At just 23 years old, Ponti has elevated the sprint event, which is not included in the Olympic roster, to unprecedented heights. He shattered the existing record by an astounding 43 hundredths of a second, a remarkable achievement for a distance that takes him slightly over 21 seconds to swim without taking a breath. The new record now stands at 21.32 seconds, reminiscent of the extraordinary times set during the early 2000s when swimmers donned full-body suits.
Although these suits were banned in 2010, swimming records have continued to improve, with six individual times from the era still holding their ground in the record books. This progress is noteworthy, especially considering it occurs with conventional swim trunks, indicating that the sport still possesses untapped technical potential. In contrast, athletics has seen stagnation in sprint events until the introduction of super shoes in 2017, showcasing how technological advancements can drive performance.
What sets swimmers like Ponti apart from their predecessors? A key factor is the underwater phase of their strokes. In disciplines such as freestyle, butterfly, and backstroke, athletes can swim up to 15 meters underwater after the start and turns. Utilizing dolphin kicks, they generate powerful wave-like movements. In a 25-meter pool, this underwater phase accounts for a whopping 60 percent of the race distance.
Ponti has showcased his extraordinary underwater abilities multiple times, especially during the semi-final of the 100 m butterfly. He paced himself until the 75-meter mark, turning in sixth place before resurfacing in third. Demonstrating strength above water, he executed six powerful arm strokes to clinch the victory.
In the final of the 100 m individual medley, Ponti faced the challenge of competing just 20 minutes after the semi-final. Despite being 0.15 seconds behind after three lengths, he surged ahead after the final turn, finishing with a powerful freestyle stroke to win by 0.78 seconds.
However, it was in the final of the 100 m butterfly where he truly shined, leading from start to finish and crossing the finish line in 47.71 seconds, setting a new world record. This achievement is particularly significant as it surpassed the previous record held by American swimming legend Caeleb Dressel, a nine-time Olympic champion.
Reflecting on his triumphs, Ponti expressed his admiration for Dressel, stating that he had surpassed one of his idols. He became emotional during interviews, unable to comprehend the whirlwind of success he had experienced in recent weeks.
The World Championships in Budapest also saw other athletes, like American Gretchen Walsh, who had previously fallen short at the Olympic Games, rise to the occasion. Both Walsh and Ponti emerged victorious, each setting multiple world records in short-course events.
Despite his outstanding performances, Ponti’s journey has been marked by challenges. After a successful Olympic campaign in 2021, he faced difficulties while studying at a university in the United States, leading to burnout. He returned home to prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics but encountered personal hurdles that hindered his performance. Nonetheless, his recent achievements at the short-course World Championships have reignited his passion for the sport.
As 2024 concludes, Ponti reflects on his journey with a sense of reconciliation. After taking a six-week break from swimming post-Olympics, he quickly regained his form, resulting in five world records and three world championship titles, earning him over $250,000 in prize money. Ponti is poised to continue making waves in the swimming world, and his journey is just beginning.