Hungarian swimmer ranked world’s second best, says prestigious outlet

Hungarian swimmer Hubert Kós ranked second on a list compiled by the prestigious SwimSwam portal ahead of the 2026 season.

The Olympic 200 metres backstroke champion claimed his second world title in his flagship event last year in Singapore, triumphing with a European record of 1:53.19. On the same occasion, he secured bronze in the 200 metres individual medley, the Hungarian News Agency wrote.

The 22-year-old Hungarian continued to shine that autumn, sweeping every backstroke event at all three stops of the short-course World Cup series, while setting world records over 100 and 200 metres. SwimSwam highlights that Kós has a strong chance this year to win all three backstroke events at the short-course world championships in Beijing—a feat achieved only once before, by America’s Ryan Murphy in 2018.

In the portal’s men’s rankings, Kós—who placed 12th last year—is trailed only by his University of Texas team-mate, the four-time Olympic champion Léon Marchand. The French superstar shattered Ryan Lochte’s 14-year-old world record in the 200 metres individual medley in Singapore by more than a second and a half, while beating the runner-up by nearly four seconds in the 400 metres.

More news concerning swimming in Hungary:

• Sensational: Hungarian Hubert Kós wins gold with European record in 200m backstroke!
• Spider bite sends Hungarian swimmer to hospital in Singapore – could miss key races