The best male swimmers in 2024 to watch out for

• Since Michael Phelps ended his swimming career in 2016, several swimmers have stepped up to try fill the gap left behind by the legend
• Qin Haiyang is considered the best male swimmer in the world right now
• The 24-year-old specializes in the breaststroke and individual medley and was named the most valuable player of the 2022 Asian Games

Looking ahead to another Olympic year, we’ve decided to bring you the best male swimmers in 2024. Since Michael Phelps ended his swimming career in 2016 and opted to enjoy living a normal life, several swimmers have stepped up to try fill the gap left behind by the legend.

Taking into account things such as potential, Olympic medal opportunities and versatility, below are the best male swimmers in 2024, as per SwimSwam.

1. Qin Haiyang

Qin Haiyang. Photo/ NBC Sports.

Qin Haiyang shocked many when he emerged victorious in Fukuoka. The Chinese hadn’t won a long-course Worlds medal but defied all our expectations over the course of the eight-day tournament to be crowned champion. He is the current world record holder in the 200m breaststroke. Haiyang specializes in the breaststroke and individual medley and was named the most valuable player of the 2022 Asian Games. The following year he became the first Asian swimmer to be named Male Swimmer of the Year.

2. Leon Marchand

Leon Marchand is just 21 but has already established himself as one of the best male swimmers in 2024. Marchand was simply amazing last year at the World Championships. His first achievement at the event was breaking Michael Phelps’ individual world record in the 400 IM by recording a time of 4:02.50.

Marchand is the French record holder in the long course 200 metre breaststroke, 200 metre individual medley and 200 metre butterfly. With such accomplishments at 21, we can all agree that the future is bright for the Frenchman.

3. Ahmed Hafnaoui 

Another 21-year-old making waves is Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia. Ahmed is the African record holder in the long course 400-metre and 1500-metre freestyle. He also holds the record in the short course 800-metre and 1500-metre freestyle events. His win in the 400 free was probably the biggest surprise of the Tokyo Games.

Ahmed Hafnaoui. Photo/ SwimSwam.

Ahmed made his name known to swimming fans in 2018 when he competed at the World Championships (SC) as a 16-year-old. He competed in the 400 meters and the 1500 meters events, and impressed many. Unfortunately, he failed to reach the finals.

The Tunisian has since been participating at various events and has established himself as one of the best male swimmers in 2024. He comes from an athletic family as his father, Mohamed Hafnaoui, was a basketball player who played for the Tunisian national team

4. Sam Short 

Samuel Short is not only one of Australia’s top swimming talents but one of the best male swimmers in 2024. He competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games where he won a gold medal in the 1500m Freestyle and silver in the 400m Freestyle. That same year, he was one of the competitors at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships, an event which offered him the opportunity to continue showcasing the world his swimming prowess.

Short is just 20 years old and considering his age, we can all agree that the Australian has a bright future ahead of him. All eyes will be looking at his performance in Paris during the Olympics.

5. Maxime Grousset

Born on 24 April 1999, Maxime Grousset is one of the two oldest stars on this list of the best male swimmers in 2024. The Frenchman, who is a member of Amiens Metropole Natation, was known by few fans before 2022.

Grousset made a name for himself in the swimming world at the 2022 World Championships where he won the silver medal in the 100 metre freestyle and bronze in the 50 metre freestyle.  He is the current world record holder in the short course 4×50 metre mixed freestyle relay.

Maxime Grousset. Photo/ Quest-France.

6. Kyle Chalmers

Kyle Chalmers was still a teen when he burst to the scene with a brilliant performance at the 2014 Oceania Swimming Championships where he claimed the Oceania title in the 50 metre butterfly and 100 metre freestyle. He continued his impressive performance two years later at the 2016 Olympics as he emerged champion in the 100 metre freestyle.

Chambers currently holds the record in the long course 4×100 metre mixed freestyle relay, short course 100 metre freestyle and 4×100 metre medley relay.