Back Liste der Schwimmweltrekorde über 200 Meter Brust German Record du monde de natation messieurs du 200 mètres brasse French התפתחות שיא העולם במשחה ל-200 מטר חזה HE Progressione del record mondiale dei 200 m rana Italian 수영 평영 200m 세계 기록 추이 Korean Lijst van zwemrecords 200 meter schoolslag vrouwen Dutch Хронологія світових рекордів з плавання на дистанції 200 метрів брасом Ukrainian
The first world record in the men's 200 metres breaststroke in long course (50 metres) swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1908 and the first world record in the women's 200 metres breaststroke was recognised in 1921. In the short course (25 metres) swimming events the world's governing body recognizes world records since March 3, 1991.
There have been two rule changes enacted by FINA for this event that have resulted in the nullification of world records.
In the mid-1930s, many breaststroke swimmers began practicing an early variant of the butterfly stroke that involved recovering the arms above the water in an effort to reduce drag. This technique was disallowed when the butterfly stroke was established as a distinct stroke with its own rules in 1953, and world records set using the technique were nullified.
Another style was developed by the Japanese swimmer Masaru Furukawa shortly after this rule change. It involved swimming underwater for as much of each pool length as possible without surfacing, as the act of breaking the water's surface created resistance, slowing a swimmer. This method of swimming the breaststroke was disallowed by FINA in 1956 and records set with the technique were nullified.
(see History of swimming)