Ilya Kharun defeats Caleb Dressel in 100m butterfly for second national title of the week

The night’s marquee rematch lived up to the billing in the men’s 100 butterfly.

A day after breaking Dressel’s own U.S. Open record in the 50 butterfly, Ilya Kharun doubled up, winning once again in the 100 fly. Dressel got out first, flexing his iconic start and underwater, but Kharun caught fire over the final 15 meters to run him down and win in 50.05, the top time in the world in 2026.

Dressel touched second in 50.45, still his fastest time in the event since the 2024 Olympic Trials.

Dressel still owns every major record in the event — world, American, U.S. Open and meet records, all set between 49.45 and 49.76. Although tonight’s swim wasn’t a threat to any of them, it’s a sign that his form is trending upwards one again, even at age 29.

Incoming Texas freshman Rowan Cox rounded out the podium in third in 50.54, posting the fastest performance by a 17-18-year-old in American history breaking Paris Olympian Thomas Heilman’s National Age Group record.

Here are more of the highlights from Irvine:

Katie Grimes ran away with the title in the women’s 400 IM, dropping nearly three seconds from this morning’s prelims to win in 4:33.26. Her time is the fourth-fastest time in the world this year.

Grimes and Bella Sims were locked together through the first 100 meters before Grimes pulled away on the backstroke. Riding a strong middle 200, she cruised to a comfortable win. Sims made the biggest move of the final, surging from sixth in prelims all the way up to second in 4:37.33. Sydney Schoeck held on for third in 4:38.68, just off her prelims time.

Cal’s Ryan Erisman led from start to finish in the men’s 400 IM for his second win of the week. He moved up from third position in prelims to break 4:10 and take the title in 4:09.57, a big milestone in the event. Indiana’s Noah Cakir held on for second in 4:13.28, just ahead of Michael Hochwalt for third.

With world record holder Gretchen Walsh not entered, Mizuki Hirai, an Olympic finalist in this event for Japan, stole the show. Now swimming for Tennessee, Hirai blew past the field thanks an extremely fast second 50 to win in 57.52, a huge jump from fifth in this morning’s prelims. Hannah Bellard took second in 58.27, while Erika Pelaez and Bailey Hartman tied for bronze at 58.43.

Prelims begin at 9 a.m. PT (12 p.m. ET); finals at 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET), streaming live on USA Swimming’s YouTube channel with finals also on Peacock.

• Women’s & Men’s 400 Freestyle

• Women’s & Men’s 100 Breaststroke

• Women’s & Men’s 100 Backstroke

*This story will continue to be updated