You’re sipping your morning coffee, scrolling headlines, and then bam—a 16-year-old kid just broke a swimming record set by the one and only Michael Phelps.
MICHAEL. PHELPS. The guy who practically lived in the pool and walked away with 23 gold medals like it was just another Tuesday. And now, there’s a teenager named Luka Mijatovic rewriting the record books.
Here’s the scoop: Luka clocked a blazing 1:45.92 in the 200-meter freestyle at the 2025 U.S. Swimming Championships. Let that sink in. The previous record for the 15-16 age group? A respectable 1:47.29.
Luka didn’t just inch past it—he obliterated it. But wait—he didn’t stop there. This kid also beat the 17-18 age group record. Yes, “that” record. The one held by Phelps, with a time of 1:45.99. Luka slid in ahead with a final-lap charge like something out of a Hollywood sports movie.
And if you’re the type to love the nerdy numbers: his splits were a thing of beauty—25.09, 26.85, 27.35, and 26.63. Consistent, explosive, and that final lap? Chef’s kiss.
Now, this isn’t just a feel-good story about an athletic milestone. It’s a moment that makes you look at the future of American swimming and say, “Oh, we’re gonna be just fine.” Luka is only 16 and already racing like a seasoned Olympian.
Los Angeles 2028 just got a little more exciting, didn’t it?
You’ve got to hand it to the kid. In a world where the headlines for teens often lean toward the negative—failing schools, tech addiction, and societal doom spirals—it’s a breath of fresh air to see a young man dominating in the pool with discipline, drive, and excellence.
And let’s give a nod to the parents here—clearly someone’s been feeding this kid something other than junk food and Fortnite.
So here’s to Luka Mijatovic: the teenage torpedo, the new name on the Olympic radar, and the living reminder that greatness doesn’t always wait until adulthood to show up.
