Hold onto your swim caps! A new Big 12 Championship record has been shattered, and it's all thanks to Ilya Kharun's blazing speed!
The 2026 Big 12 Championships are currently underway at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, NC, and the competition is already heating up. While the Arizona State women and men are back to defend their titles, one swimmer has already made a monumental splash.
Ilya Kharun, a junior from Arizona State, has just rewritten the record books in the men's 50 freestyle preliminary heats, clocking an astonishing time of 18.47. This performance not only sets a new Big 12 Championship record but also surpasses his teammate Jonny Kulow's previous record of 18.64, which was set just last year on his way to winning the final. Kharun himself was the runner-up in that race, finishing in 18.82.
But here's where it gets truly impressive: this 18.47 is Kharun's third-fastest time this season! He previously touched the wall at 18.40 during the CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge in November and 18.41 at the Tennessee Invitational shortly after. This consistency at such elite speeds is remarkable.
And this is the part most people miss: Kharun's 18.47 puts him in a tie for the fastest time in the entire country this season, alongside Florida's Josh Liendo, who also achieved 18.40. To put this in perspective, no swimmers at the recent SEC or ACC Championships managed to go faster than Kharun's preliminary time. Liendo won the SEC title in 18.42, and Quintin McCarty of NC State took the ACC crown in 18.63.
Kharun's personal best remains an incredible 18.31, a time he set at the 2025 NCAA Championships, where he secured a 4th-place finish. He was competing against some of the absolute best, including Jordan Crooks (17.91), Josh Liendo (18.23), and Gui Caribe (18.26).
Tonight, Kharun will be competing in the Big 12 final, and he's not alone! The Arizona State Sun Devils have dominated the event, securing all but one spot in the 'A' final. This shows incredible team depth and talent.
Here's a quick look at the top 8 qualifiers from the men's 50 freestyle preliminaries:
- 1. Ilya Kharun (ASU) – 18.47
- 2. Adam Chaney (ASU) – 18.84
- 3. Jonny Kulow (ASU) / Remi Fabiani – 18.87
- 5. Tolu Young (ASU) – 18.96
- 6. Tommy Palmer (ASU) – 19.01
- 7. Duncan Henderson (ARIZ) – 19.12
- 8. Quin Seider (ASU) – 19.22
It's clear the Arizona State men are a force to be reckoned with! With five Sun Devils under the 19-second mark in the prelims, including Adam Chaney qualifying second and Jonny Kulow and Remi Fabiani tying for third, they are poised for a strong showing.
This incredible performance by Ilya Kharun begs the question: Can he continue this record-breaking pace and claim the NCAA title? And with such a dominant team presence, will Arizona State sweep the podium in the 50 freestyle final? What are your thoughts on these lightning-fast times? Let us know in the comments below!
