Hold onto your swim caps, because history has just been made in the pool! Luka Mijatovic has shattered a 23-year-old National Age Group (NAG) record in the 15-16 category, clocking an astonishing 7:48.28 in the 800-meter freestyle at the 2025 U.S. Open. But here's where it gets even more impressive: Mijatovic didn't just break Larsen Jensen's long-standing record of 7:52.05 from the 2002 Pan Pac Championships—he obliterated his own personal best by a full five seconds. This isn't just a win; it's a statement that Mijatovic is a force to be reckoned with in the world of long-distance swimming.
The 2025 U.S. Open, held from December 3-6, 2025, at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin, Texas, was the stage for this record-breaking performance. With prelims kicking off at 10 a.m. EST and finals at 7 p.m. EST (except for Day 1, which started at 5 p.m. EST), the event showcased the best of long-course meters (LCM) swimming. For those who couldn't make it, Meet Central, Psych Sheets, Live Results, and Live Recaps were available online, ensuring fans didn't miss a stroke. And this is the part most people miss—Mijatovic's split times reveal a masterclass in pacing. Compared to his previous performances, he consistently stayed under the 30-second mark per 50 meters, with a blistering 27.53 final sprint that sealed the deal.
But here's the controversial part: With this swim, Mijatovic leaps into the #12 spot among all-time American performers in the men's LCM 800 free, surpassing names like Chad La Tourette and Peter Vanderkaay. Is this the beginning of a new era in U.S. distance swimming? Or is Mijatovic just a flash in the pan? Let’s dive into the debate in the comments below.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 8 finishers in the event:
1. Luka Mijatovic (PLS) – 7:48.28
2. Ilia Sibirtsev (UZB) – 7:51.85
3. Luke Whitlock (IU) – 7:54.66
4. Carson Foster (UN-MR) – 7:55.51
5. Bobby Finke (SPA-FL) – 7:57.68
6. Ivan Puskovitch (TSM) – 7:59.45
7. Charlie Clark (OSU) – 8:02.42
8. Aiden Hammer (TEX) – 8:05.07
For context, the World Record in this event stands at 7:32.12, set by Zhang Lin of China in 2009, while the U.S. Open Record is held by Bobby Finke with a time of 7:40.34 from 2023. Mijatovic’s performance not only cements his place in swimming history but also raises the question: How much faster can he go?
All-Time Top U.S. Performers, Men’s LCM 800 Free:
1. Bobby Finke, 7:38.67 — 2023 World Champs
2. Michael McBroom, 7:43.60 — 2013 World Champs
3. Zane Grothe, 7:43.74 — 2018 Pan Pacific Champs
4. Connor Jaeger, 7:44.26 — 2013 World Champs
5. Luke Whitlock, 7:45.19 — 2024 Olympic Trials
6. Jordan Wilimovsky, 7:45.19 — 2018 Pan Pacific Champs
7. Larsen Jensen, 7:45.63 — 2005 World Champs
8. Chad La Tourette, 7:46.52 — 2011 World Champs
9. Peter Vanderkaay, 7:46.64 — 2011 World Champs
10. Ross Dant, 7:48.10 — 2023 Phillips 66 National Champs
11. David Johnston, 7:48.20 — 2024 World Champs
12. Luka Mijatovic, 7:48.28 – 2025 U.S. Open
Finally, a shoutout to Anya Pelshaw, SwimSwam’s writer and social media coordinator since June 2021, who has been on the ground covering major events like the Women's NCAA Championships and U.S. Summer Nationals. Her work ensures fans stay connected to the pulse of competitive swimming. For more on her, check out her bio here.
So, what do you think? Is Mijatovic the future of U.S. distance swimming, or is this record just a one-off? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
