Records Shattered, Rivalries Ignited: Shaine Casas Rewrites History in the 200 IM
The 2025 Swimming World Cup in Carmel, Indiana, just witnessed a seismic shift in the world of swimming. American swimmer Shaine Casas didn't just break his own American record in the 200 IM – he obliterated it, leaving the swimming world in awe. But here's where it gets controversial: he did it by outpacing none other than his training partner and reigning Olympic champion, Leon Marchand, in a race that had everyone on the edge of their seats.
Held from October 10-12, 2025, in the short course meters (SCM) format, this World Cup stop was a hotbed of talent and competition. Casas’ victory in the 200 IM wasn’t just a personal triumph; it was a statement. Clocking an astonishing 1:49.43, he shaved a crucial .08 seconds off his own record set at the World Short Course Championships in December. This time also smashed the U.S. Open Record of 1:50.76, previously held by Japan’s Daiya Seto since 2019. This makes Casas the fastest swimmer of any nationality to ever race on American soil – a title that’s sure to spark debates about the current hierarchy in swimming.
What’s even more fascinating is the strategy Casas employed. While he was nearly on pace in the first half of the race, it was his back-half performance that sealed the deal. Despite being slightly slower on the breaststroke leg compared to December, he made up for it with a blistering freestyle finish. And this is the part most people miss: Casas outsplit Marchand, the 200 breaststroke Olympic champion, on the breaststroke leg – a bold move that paid off handsomely.
Let’s break down the splits for a clearer picture:
| Split | Casas (New American Record) | Casas (Former American Record) |
|------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| 50m fly | 23.10 | 23.13 |
| 50m back | 27.64 | 27.67 |
| 50m breast | 32.22 | 31.70 |
| 50m free | 26.47 | 27.01 |
| Total Time | 1:49.43 | 1:49.51 |
This victory marks Casas’ second individual American Record and his second U.S. Open Record in just a matter of days, following his 100 IM win in 50.86 on Friday evening. His dominance is undeniable, but it raises a thought-provoking question: Is Shaine Casas now the swimmer to beat in the 200 IM, or will Marchand and others regroup to reclaim their throne?
For those eager to dive deeper into the action, here are all the essential links:
- Meet Central: https://www.worldaquatics.com/competitions/4969/world-aquatics-swimming-world-cup-2025
- Psych Sheets: https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ENTRIES_BOOK.pdf
- Live Results: https://www.omegatiming.com/2025/world-aquatics-swimming-world-cup01-live-results
- All The Links: https://swimswam.com/all-the-links-you-need-for-the-2025-carmel-world-cup-stop/
- Live Recaps:
- Prelims: Day 1, Day 2
- Finals: Day 1, Day 2
About the Author:
Braden Keith, Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of SwimSwam.com, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Starting with The Swimmers' Circle in 2010, he’s now at the helm of SwimSwam, shaping it into a leading voice in the swimming community. When he’s not immersed in the world of swimming, you can find him exploring the vastness of the InterWet. Read More
Now, we want to hear from you: Do you think Shaine Casas’ performance marks the beginning of a new era in the 200 IM, or will Leon Marchand and other competitors bounce back stronger? Let us know in the comments below!
