Teen Swimmer Breaks Phelps’ Record, Eyes 2028 Olympics

A 16-year-old swimmer is gaining attention for a potential spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after breaking records at the 2025 US Swimming Championships that were previously held by the legendary Michael Phelps.

Whenever Phelps’ name comes up in swimming discussions, it’s usually about remarkable achievements, considering he holds a staggering 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds. That’s quite the benchmark.

Recently, Luka Mijatovic eclipsed Phelps’ time in the 200-meter freestyle with a stunning finish, clocking in at 1:45.92.

Interestingly, Phelps had recorded a time of 1:45.99, but Mijatovic managed to outpace him in the final lap, which, I suppose, adds a nice twist to the rivalry. While the Olympics are still three years away, Mijatovic’s performance has definitely put him on the map.

Earlier in May, Mijatovic secured top spots in both the 500-yard freestyle and the 200-yard freestyle at the Scholastic Federation State Championships in California, which really showcased his potential leading up to now.

He currently stands out as one of the top-ranked high school swimmers and ranks first in California, which is no small feat. During the championships that recently kicked off, he was surrounded by already-established Olympic contenders, like Bobby Finke, Tori Hasuke, and the notable Katie Ledecky.

These championships are crucial, seeing as swimmers are trying to earn places for the World Championships set to take place in Singapore later this year.

Luka Mijatovic appears to be a name to remember in the coming years, and it’ll be exciting to see how he develops in the sport.