In a thrilling display of aquatic prowess, Luka Mijatovic shattered a long-standing record at the 2025 U.S. Open, leaving spectators in awe. But here's the catch: he wasn't just breaking any record; he was rewriting history by surpassing Larsen Jensen's 23-year-old 15-16 National Age Group (NAG) record in the 800-meter freestyle event.
The 2025 U.S. Open:
Date: December 3-6, 2025
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Venue: Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center
Schedule:
Preliminary Rounds: 10 a.m. EST
Finals:
- Day 1: 5 p.m. EST
- Day 2-4: 7 p.m. EST
Event Details:
- Course: Long Course Meters (LCM)
- Event Website: https://www.usaswimming.org/event/2025/12/03/default-calendar/toyota-us-open
- Psych Sheets: https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/25tuso-psych-sheet.pdf
- Live Results: https://www.omegatiming.com/2025/2025-toyota-u-s-open-championships-live-results
- Live Recaps:
- Day 1: https://swimswam.com/2025-u-s-open-day-1-finals-live-recap/
- Day 2: https://swimswam.com/2025-u-s-open-day-2-finals-live-recap/
- Day 3: https://swimswam.com/2025-u-s-open-day-3-finals-live-recap/
- Day 4: https://swimswam.com/2025-u-s-open-day-4-finals-live-recap/
- Prelims Recaps:
- Day 2: https://swimswam.com/2025-u-s-open-day-2-prelims-live-recap/
- Day 3: https://swimswam.com/2025-u-s-open-day-3-prelims-live-recap/
- Day 4: https://swimswam.com/2025-u-s-open-day-4-prelims-live-recap/
Men's 800 Freestyle Timed Finals:
Mijatovic's remarkable performance secured him the top spot, clocking an impressive 7:48.28. Here's a breakdown of the top finishers:
- Luka Mijatovic (PLS) - 7:48.28
- Ilia Sibirtsev (UZB) - 7:51.85
- Luke Whitlock (IU) - 7:54.66
- Carson Foster (UN-MR) - 7:55.51
- Bobby Finke (SPA-FL) - 7:57.68
- Ivan Puskovitch (TSM) - 7:59.45
- Charlie Clark (OSU) - 8:02.42
- Aiden Hammer (TEX) - 8:05.07
Mijatovic's victory wasn't just about the win; it was a testament to his dedication and improvement. He demolished his previous personal best by a staggering five seconds and broke Jensen's NAG record of 7:52.05, set at the 2002 Pan Pac Championships. And this is where it gets intriguing: his split times reveal a consistent strategy.
Split Comparison:
Mijatovic maintained a steady pace, consistently dipping under the 30-second mark for each 50-meter segment, except for one 30.00 split. His final 50 meters were a sprint to the finish, clocking a remarkable 27.53 seconds.
This exceptional performance propelled Mijatovic into the ranks of America's top swimmers in this event, jumping from outside the top 25 to the #12 spot on the all-time list.
All-Time Top US Performers, Men's LCM 800 Free:
- Bobby Finke - 7:38.67 (2023 World Champs)
- Michael McBroom - 7:43.60 (2013 World Champs)
- Zane Grothe - 7:43.74 (2018 Pan Pacific Champs)
- Connor Jaeger - 7:44.26 (2013 World Champs)
- Luke Whitlock - 7:45.19 (2024 Olympic Trials)
- Jordan Wilimovsky - 7:45.19 (2018 Pan Pacific Champs)
- Larsen Jensen - 7:45.63 (2005 World Champs)
- Chad La Tourette - 7:46.52 (2011 World Champs)
- Peter Vanderkaay - 7:46.64 (2011 World Champs)
- Ross Dant - 7:48.10 (2023 Phillips 66 National Champs)
- David Johnston - 7:48.20 (2024 World Champs)
- Luka Mijatovic - 7:48.28 (2025 US Open)
About the Author:
Anya Pelshaw, a SwimSwam contributor since June 2021, has been an integral part of the team as a writer and social media coordinator. She has covered major events like the Women's NCAA Championships from 2022 to 2025 and the 2023 US Summer Nationals, offering her unique insights and expertise. To learn more about Anya, visit her bio page: https://swimswam.com/bio/anya-pelshaw/.
