Hungarian · Veszprém, Hungary · Born 14 February 2000Hungarian swimmer and world record holder in 200m butterfly, Olympic champion and multiple world champion known for his dominance in butterfly events
Born in Budapest on February 14, 2000, Milák emerged from Hungary's rich swimming tradition to become one of the sport's most dominant forces. He began competitive swimming at an early age and quickly distinguished himself in butterfly events, showing exceptional natural ability in the technically demanding stroke. His rise through junior ranks was meteoric, catching international attention while still a teenager. Milák's breakthrough came at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, where he delivered one of swimming's most stunning performances. In the 200m butterfly final, he shattered Michael Phelps' eleven-year-old world record, clocking 1:50.73 and becoming the first swimmer to break 1:51 in the event. This achievement immediately established him as the world's premier butterflier and marked the beginning of his dominance in the discipline. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Milák claimed his first Olympic gold medal in the 200m butterfly, defending his status as the world's best in the event. He added a second Olympic title at the 2024 Paris Games, cementing his position atop the global butterfly hierarchy. His world record in the 200m butterfly stands as perhaps the most significant achievement in men's swimming in recent years, breaking a mark many considered untouchable. Milák's technical mastery combines powerful underwater dolphin kicks with exceptional stroke mechanics and tactical racing intelligence. His ability to negative-split races and produce devastating finishing kicks has become his trademark. Beyond his world record, he has consistently dominated major international competitions, collecting multiple World Championship medals and establishing himself as Hungary's most successful swimmer of his generation. His impact extends beyond individual achievements, revitalizing global interest in butterfly swimming and inspiring a new generation of swimmers. Milák represents the evolution of butterfly technique and has redefined what was considered possible in the stroke, particularly in the 200m distance where his world record stands as a testament to human athletic progression.
World record holder in 200m butterfly
How They Played
Explosive underwater phase and powerful stroke technique
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest butterfly swimmers in history
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold Medal 200m Butterfly Tokyo 2020
- Olympic Silver Medal 100m Butterfly Tokyo 2020
- Olympic Gold Medal 200m Butterfly Paris 2024
- Olympic Gold Medal 100m Butterfly Paris 2024
- World Championship Gold 200m Butterfly Budapest 2022
- World Championship Gold 100m Butterfly Budapest 2022
- World Championship Gold 200m Butterfly Fukuoka 2023
- World Championship Gold 100m Butterfly Fukuoka 2023
- World Record 200m Butterfly 1:50.34 Budapest 2022
- European Championship Gold 200m Butterfly 2021
- European Championship Gold 100m Butterfly 2021
- European Championship Gold 200m Butterfly 2022
- World Aquatics Swimmer of the Year 2022
Hungarian Athletes