Despite Losing His Record, Legend Michael Phelps’ Takes the High Road for 16-Year-Old US Swimmer With an Iconic Gesture

Thomas Heilman was able to add his name to the annals of swimming history by breaking a long-standing record. On Tuesday, June 26, Heilman participated in the U.S. Swimming Championships organized in Indianapolis. There he broke a record in the 200 m Butterfly category previously set by the legend Michael Phelps.

Phelps took retirement from swimming competitively in 2016. In his long and illustrious career, the legend has set many records. Most of his records are still unbroken. Very recently, Thomas Heilman broke one record that the former Olympics gold medalist had made. Heilman has shattered Phelp’s record in the national age group 15-16 in the 200m LCM. Michael Phelps won the world champion title in 2001. It took 22 years for another swimmer to surpass Phelps’ record, which should highlight the magnitude of his achievement.

Thomas Heilman’s Remarkable Feat: Breaking Phelps’ NAG Record with Lightning Speed

Heilman finished the 200m LCM in 1:54.54. This was just four seconds less than what Michael Phelps had made at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships held in Fukuoka, Japan. Many could already see signs of greatness in Heilman from when he first entered competitive swimming. Even in the preliminary round of the 2023 U.S. National Championships, he exhibited a glimpse of his superb talent by finishing the 200m LCM in 1:55.11. With his latest record time of 1:54.54, he has shaved off 1.98 seconds from his own personal record in the category.

Michael Phelps has acknowledged the rare talent and skill of Heilman. He shared a post about Heilman’s breaking of his own record made by the Swimming World Magazine from their official Instagram account with the caption, “Good swim !!Lfg!!” Heilman is elated to receive such high praise from a legend like Phelps.

Thomas Heilman’s Reaction to Being Associated with Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps’s recognition has overwhelmed Heilman with joy and gratitude. He enjoys being compared to one of the greatest legends in U.S. swimming. In an interview with NBC Sports, he said, “It’s just amazing to be even mentioned in the same sentence as him.”

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Carson Foster, who won first place in Tuesday’s race, also acknowledged Thomas Heilman for his incredible feat, saying in an interview with Olympics.com, “I want to be faster in a few weeks, but it’s all about this kid tonight. That’s insane. He’s incredible.” This is just the beginning for Heilman as he will surely amaze spectators and the swimming world in July’s World Championships in Japan.

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