Laon Kim kicked off the 2024 Canadian Olympic Trials with a strong start. In the junior final for the men’s 400 freestyle, he clocked in at 3:56.37, finishing second to Ethan Ekk. Notably, this time marks him as the fastest 15-year-old in Canadian history.
New Personal Best for Laon Kim
Kim’s new best swim is 3:56.37, bettering his 3:56.79 from the 2023 Canadian Trials for the Fukuoka World Championships. He was 14 then and held the Canadian Age Group record for boys 13-14. Now, in the 15-year-old category, his previous best was 4:06.59, ranking him fourth at the March Provincial Championships in Calgary.
Canadian Boys Age 15 All-Time Top 5 (As per SwimCanada)
- Laon Kim, UCSC — 3:56.37 (2024)
- Colin Jacobs, NYAC — 4:01.05 (2024)
- Owen Ekk, Unattached — 4:02.10 (2024)
- Simon Fonseca, CAM — 4:04.27 (2023)
- Alexandre Lepine, NN — 4:08.78 (2023)
Strong Competition and Depth in 2024
Colin Jacobs previously set the standard for this age group in 2024 with a time of 4:01.05 at the San Antonio Pro Series. While Kim has now broken the 4:00 barrier, other swimmers like Simon Fonseca, who swam a personal best of 4:00.09, are also making significant improvements. Owen Ekk’s 4:02.10 time rounds out the top performers, showcasing the growing depth in Canadian swimming.
Although no one qualified for the 2024 Olympic team in this event, these performances signal the potential for future successes in the next Olympic cycle.
Record Progression and Split Analysis
The 15-17 age group record is still held by Lorne Wigginton, who swam 3:49.05 at the 2023 World Juniors. Comparing Kim’s 2024 and 2023 performances in the 400 freestyle reveals how his race strategy has evolved.
Kim’s 2024 vs. 2023 Splits:
- New Personal Best (2024 Trials):
- 100m: 55.56
- 200m: 1:55.48 (59.92)
- 300m: 2:55.44 (59.96)
- 400m: 3:56.37 (1:00.93)
- Previous Personal Best (2023 Trials):
- 100m: 56.32
- 200m: 1:56.02 (59.70)
- 300m: 2:56.52 (1:00.50)
- 400m: 3:56.79 (1:00.27)
Kim opened the 2024 race much faster than in 2023, but his final 100 meters were slightly slower. Despite this, his lifetime best and faster start indicate strong form for the rest of the week.
Versatility and Upcoming Events
Kim has excelled in Canadian swimming for three years, breaking Age Group records. Last summer, he moved from Hyack Swim Club to the University of Calgary Swim Club (UCSC). Now, he’s ready for more success at the Trials. Buy SWim Suit online
Kim is entered in several other events, including:
- 200 freestyle (6th seed)
- 50 freestyle (12th seed)
- 100 freestyle (14th seed)
- 1500 freestyle (15th seed)
- 200 IM (17th seed)
- 100 butterfly
