Crooks blows his own world record out of water!

| 14/12/2024 | 64 Comments

(CNS) UPDATED SUNDAY: Jordan Crooks (22) bagged the gold medal in the men’s 50 metre freestyle final at the 2024 World short-course championships, Sunday. But the Caymanian champ had already swam his way into the history books on Saturday when broke the world record in the freestyle heats in Budapest and then blew that record out of the water in the semi-finals just hours later. Crooks won gold in a relatively sedate 20.19  after an incredible 20:08 in the heats followed by the mind-boggling 19:90 in the semis.

The new sub 20 second world record for Crooks crushed Caeleb Dressel’s 2020 time of 20:16 making him the fastest short-course swimmer in the world and $50,000 richer with that astounding double world record at one event.

Crooks became the first athlete from the Cayman Islands to win a world title in any sport when he bagged the 50 freestyle title in Melbourne two years ago, but this weekend’s day’s results are nothing short of incredible for Crooks and the Cayman Islands.

On Tuesday Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly extended congratulations to Crooks for his historic victory and record-breaking achievements. “Jordan Crook’s remarkable achievements have been cemented in sports history,” she said. “He will forever be known as the first man to break the sub-20 barrier in the 50-m freestyle. With his incredible performance, he has taken his place amongst the pantheon of the world’s greatest swimmers.”

See Saturday morning’s heats and Crook’s first WR below:

Video from World Aquatics


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Category: Local News, Sports

Comments (64)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdpISovkd2I

    Watch the video in the link above you ungrateful haters. Shame on every last one of you.

  2. Anonymous says:

    As I’ve always said, no accomplishment Caymanians achieve is good enough for the expats. There is always some excuse as to why they should not be in a positive spotlight.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    Couldn’t even fly home on Cayman Airways.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Does Cayman Airways have flights to Budapest now???

      Were you even aware of when or how he travelled to the meet???

      #Bandwaggonist

  4. Anonymous says:

    Luckily for him, he’s not Chinese.

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  5. Dexter Layman Ebanks says:

    Why doesn’t the mouth champion state his name instead of hiding behind ANONYMOUS = Oh! by the way I am a 7 generation Caymanian and my NAME is Dexter Layman Ebanks that walks my 4 Legged Children everyday on the Esterly Tibbetts Hyway = You should be ashamed for not CONGRADULATION Jordan on his accomplishment

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  6. Anonymous says:

    I know everyone else has said the same thing but I hope the number of post on this news actually breaks CNS!

    WELL DONE JORDAN … SO PROUD OF YOU!!! I feel like I have personally broken the world record … TWICE!!

    BTW Santa I don’t need anything else this christmas.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    Living Legend!! He deserves everything that’s coming his way!

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Jamaica 🇯🇲 to da world! Brap brap!

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    • Anonymous says:

      If there’s one thing that Jamaicans can’t do, other than driving, it’s gotta be swimming! Pipe down, likkle troll.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yet both parents are from where? Go on, tell us.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Didn’t realize his parents were record-holding world champions, and not the child born and raised in Cayman as a Caymanian amongst other Caymanians.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Why not tell us where they are from? What do you have to hide?

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            • Anonymous says:

              His parents are Jamaican so to is he, he is also a British Overseas Territories citizen associated with the Cayman Islands, thus he competes under the Cayman Flag

              Since CAYMAN is not a COUNTRY

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  9. Anonymous says:

    A huge congratulations Jordan!! You’re continuing to do amazing things and the Cayman Islands is behind and beside you!!! Keeping going!!!

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Persons like anon 11:54 should show us how he would do.

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  11. Sucka Free Cayman says:

    No everyone he is just one of those who have come here to find fault with everything to do with Cayman but simply don’t want to leave.The trouble is there is too many just like him now on these shores. Excellent result Jordan on your World Record you have made Cayman proud and Caymanians are very proud of you for representing us on the world stage.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Totally agree with posted.

      Persons like him or her should leave Cayman and never ever return! F*** CaymanKind. Swim and swivel on my middle finger whoever you are!

      Why are you here? I can name about 10 excellent reasons why you are here. Self reflection is needed bobo or teedee. While doing so, start packing. Your kind is not welcome!

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  12. Anonymous says:

    11:54. You represent all that is wrong in the world.

    There is no BUT after a world record. Shame on you.

    Cayman strong

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    • Anonymous says:

      Cayman Snowflake

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      • Anonymous says:

        Probably shouldn’t argue with you about this since so many of you immigrant cokeheads definitely know how to quickly identify where the snow is. 🙃

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        • Anonymous says:

          Says the Kenny voter.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Says the Kenny patron. Bet you’re mad as hell he doesn’t distribute in the clubs anymore. Go wipe your nose and pretend you got yet another cold, snowman. <3

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            • Anonymous says:

              Caymankind strikes again.

              #worldclass

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              • Anonymous says:

                Yeah, because this didn’t start with someone referring to “Cayman Snowflake” 🙄. Pull your head out of yer arse and give it a good shake.

                #immigrantcokeheadsdontliketohearthetruth
                #whothecokefitsletthemsnortit

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  13. Anonymous says:

    It’s Jack Alexy.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    Anon @ 11:54 Am give the young star his props
    and stop making silly comparisons , he has shattered a record previously held by a 9 time Olympic gold medalist of the US Caeleb dressel I’m sure that’s says much more about his achievements and ability than what you are spewing out .

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  15. Orrie Merren 🙏🏻🇰🇾 says:

    Well done, Mr. Crooks. We’re very proud of you. Keep up the stellar work.

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  16. Anonymous says:

    Well done son!

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  17. Anonymous says:

    Excellent achievement. But note this is a short-course record in a 25 metre pool. 95% plus of elite international swimming competitions (including the Olympics) are done in a 50 metre pool, so it is not an oft contested race at the elite level in a 25 metre pool.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Who cares? Still a record. Cope more.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Oh, please fuck all the way off. He broke two world records today. he is the fastest in the world – by a significant margin- despite whatever hateful qualifiers you attempt to place on his accomplishments.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The 7 people who beat him in the Olympic final are not even there. Ask why.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Maybe they don’t want to risk the chance of becoming $50,000 richer – LOL.

          Way to go Jordan – would love for you to come over to Cayman Brac to hold a clinic for the youngsters here that see you as a role model.

          as to 11:54Am comment – really sad to tear apart this young mans accomplishments. A world record is a world record.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Just tell us, oh great aquatic sage.

          Regardless of whatever hateful bullshit you come up with, you say that as though being literally top 8 fastest swimmers on the planet is something to be ashamed of. I understand that it is easy to be envious of Cayman and its people, especially when we shine, but you should really focus more on bettering yourself instead of tearing down others.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Typical expat anti Caymanian rhetoric. A world record is a world record doesn’t matter who’s there ! Time is time .
          Why don’t represent your country and do better 🤬

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          • Anonymous says:

            Whoever you are Cayman needs less of you. But I bet you still want your PR or Status right? Wrong, people like you should never ever get such privilege! Swim and swivel on that!

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        • Anonymous says:

          Why don’t you check who’s record he obliterated before opening your ignorant mouth? Typical hater.

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    • Anonymous says:

      @11:54am. You forgot to tell us what your best time is.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Oh shut the f*** up

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    • Anonymous says:

      So what you’re saying is it’s harder because you have to nail a turn in addition to swim at top speed instantly the whole way. Got it.

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      • Anonymous says:

        It’s easier numbnuts, as a result of the turn.

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        • Anonymous says:

          It’s quicker, not necessarily easier, numbnuts.

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        • lil Bobo in East End says:

          It’s different, not easier as a result of the turn. Jordan’s underwater is amazing and he is dominating the NCAA meets in the USA as well. Underwater swimming turns and off the wall power are really important for short course 25m/25yd racing.

          He is the fastest underwater ever and there is no debate about that. 2x World Champion and WR holder in the 50m, World Championship record in the 100m. Male sprint swimmers continue to get faster as they mature. Jordan has the potential to be dominate for another decade.

          Knocking him about the length of the pool he competed in is ridiculous. Celebrate the accomplishments as he is a generational talent that we should be very proud of.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Is you middle name Grinch!! A$$ho!3

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    • Anonymous says:

      Correct. Short course swimming is like indoor track. Nobody who knows anything about the sport really cares.

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    • Tom McCallum says:

      “Anonymous at 11:54”, I’m Tom McCallum, Past President of Cayman Swimming and a FINA Referee for many years representing Cayman internationally. Interested in your credentials if you care to share.

      Yes, the Olympics are long course (50m pool), but Short Course is a very big deal indeed globally, not least in US college swimming, but also the longstanding FINA world cup series each year. I would also note that for a few years the ISL (International Swimming League) was a massive draw with spectacular staging of events the best swimming has ever seen. Oh, and I was an official at the ISL event in London in 2019, so I saw that first hand.

      So, saying “95% plus” of elite competitions are done in a 50m pool is, well, simply inaccurate.

      In addition, Short Course swimming is all about the turns. Jordan Crooks has ridiculously strong turns and underwater kicks, so allowing a relatively short swimmer (just under 6′ tall, I believe) to compete with giants (Jack Alexy is 6’8″, as an example, Florent Manadou 6’5″ etc)

      In summary, the Short Course World Championships ARE a big deal, and to smash (not once but twice) a record held by the generational talent that was Caleb Dressel IS a big deal.

      In closing, my grandmother told me “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”. If I were choosing to make a point about which form of swimming is more important in the context of Jordan being Cayman’s ONLY World Champion in any sport, and ONLY World Record holder, I’d have started out by fervently congratulating this young Caymanian for his achievements.

      I await your credentials and your congratulation to Jordan and the whole Cayman Swimming community that created the environment in which Jordan and many others of our swimmers thrive.

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    • Jacqueline Farrington says:

      Have the guts to state your name – negative person.

      We don’t need your comments.

      You probably don’t realise that our athletes her train in a 25 m pool to compete regularly against the world in a 50 m pool, which they can practice in all the time.
      It is all the more achievement in regular racing for them.

      Don’t try to take this young man down. He has really gone where nobody has gone before.

      By the way, my name is Jacqueline Farrington.

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