The SwimSwam Top 100 Swimmers of 2026: Women's Edition is here, and it's a thrilling forecast of the sport's future! But as we dive into the rankings, a controversial question arises: How do you predict greatness in a sport where the stars are scattered across the globe, and the medals are not the only measure of success?
#100 Katie Grimes (USA): Grimes, once a silver medalist in the 400 IM, had a disappointing 2025, finishing 6th at the World Championships. But here's the twist: she's still a force to be reckoned with. Her potential remains untapped, and her inclusion in the list is a nod to her ability to bounce back.
#99 Louise Hansson (Sweden): With Sarah Sjostrom on maternity leave, Hansson stepped up as Sweden's top swimmer. Despite a challenging World Championships, she rebounded at the SC Euros, claiming a bronze. Her versatility and resilience make her a swimmer to watch.
#98 Barbora Seemanova (Czech Republic): Seemanova's rise is remarkable, ranking 61st in 2025. She's a serious medal contender in the 200 freestyle at the European Championships, thanks to her consistent performances and recent event shift.
#97 Erin Gallagher (South Africa): The addition of stroke 50s to the Olympics has elevated Gallagher's status. Her 50 fly performance at the World Championships was exceptional, and she's poised to make waves at the Commonwealth Games.
#96 Rikako Ikee (Japan): Ikee's comeback story is inspiring. After battling leukemia, she's gradually returning to her 2017-2018 form. Her 2025 World Championships results indicate she's on the right track, and a return to her personal bests is not out of the question.
#95 Amalie Smith (Great Britain): Smith, a junior swimmer, is making waves. She broke the European Junior SCM 400 IM record and won silver at the World Junior Championships. With significant improvements in 2025, she's a serious medal threat at the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.
#94 McKenzie Siroky (USA): Siroky's journey is unique. From Division I Hockey to swimming, she's a breaststroke specialist. Her qualification for the Pan Pacs team after a gap year is impressive, and she's set for a breakthrough summer.
#93 Moesha Johnson (Australia): Johnson is a dominant open water swimmer, but in this ranking, she's #93. Her focus on open water doesn't diminish her pool prowess, as she swept the OW events at the 2025 World Championships.
#92 Minna Abraham (Hungary): Abraham is a top 200 freestyler in Europe. Her performance at the U23 European Championships was impressive, and her SC Euros results indicate a promising 2026. She's a medal contender in multiple events.
#91 Sienna Toohey (Australia): Toohey, another junior swimmer, is making her mark in breaststroke. She's improving consistently and is an essential part of Australia's relay team. Her growth is a testament to her potential.
The SwimSwam Top 100 is a delicate balance of past performance, potential, and the unpredictable nature of the sport. It's a celebration of talent and a reminder that swimming is a global endeavor, where the next champion could be anywhere. What do you think of these rankings? Are there any swimmers you believe deserve a higher spot? Let's discuss!
