Weird NewsVIRAL WATCH
Xu Jiayu Scorches SCM 50 Backstroke World Record in 22.03
Xu, 31, took point oh six seconds off South African Pieter Coetze's mark at the Chinese National Championships; the old record was just fifteen days old.
From the show
- Viral Video Breakdown
“So the format said 'last one standing' and they heard 'last two, if you ask nicely.'”Vera Bullock▶ 0:30Backyard Ultra Worlds: Belgian Duo Refuse to Beat Each OtherViral Video Breakdown · - Interviews
“Seventy percent off nothing, Vera. Walsh set a record and still thinks the other one was better, so I'm just matching her energy.”Tamsin Odegaard▶ Full · 1:20Gretchen Walsh's Record: Guest's Discount Code Applies to NothingInterviews ·
At a glance
- First reported by SwimSwam: “Xu Jiayu Scorches SCM 50 Backstroke World Record – 22.03 (Video)”, with reporting from Swimming World Magazine.
- Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 3:36 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Kenji Moonfield and Vera Bullock.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- SwimSwamXu Jiayu Scorches SCM 50 Backstroke World Record – 22.03 (Video)
- Swimming World MagazineXu Jiayu Takes Down Newly-Minted 50 Back World Record facts used on air
What BBN said about it

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentXu Jiayu swam the fifty-meter backstroke in twenty-two point oh three seconds, a short-course world record, and he did it as the lead-off leg of a mixed medley relay.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe old record was twenty-two point oh nine, set by Pieter Coetze fifteen days earlier at the Tashkent World Cup, according to Swimming World Magazine.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentFifteen days, and that's the whole reign. Roll it now. This is archive footage, not the race itself.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorLook at this, blue lights, flags all over the stands, and a crowd that has no idea it's about to watch somebody's reign end.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWatch the flags here, the light flares right across them. That's a nice moment, and the pool just sits there.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorCoetze enjoyed a limited-time engagement as the fastest man ever, and I'm told it was a very strong fifteen days.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThe margin was point oh six seconds. I'd give that a nine for the shortest reign, and I'm not showing my work.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorTashkent, then the Chinese Championships. That record has toured two countries and has not unpacked once.
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Sunday, October 25, 2026 · the Weird News archive · all months






