Get ready for an exciting journey as we dive into the SwimSwam Top 100 Swimmers of 2026, focusing on the incredible women who will dominate the global swimming scene! This list is our prediction of the top 100 swimmers to keep an eye on, and it's going to be a thrilling ride.
In non-Olympic years, the swimming world is a diverse and scattered place, with no single event to truly measure success. This means that times become the ultimate judge, making our rankings both easier and more challenging to determine.
Our ranking principles are based on trajectory, age, performance over the last three years, anomalies in performance, versatility, and the competitive atmosphere of each event. We start with data, but the real magic happens through debate, refinement, and collective wisdom.
However, we've had to make some tough calls. Swimmers who are unlikely to be active in 2026 have been excluded, and those with uncertain futures, like Sarah Sjostrom, have been carefully considered. These rankings are a delicate balance, and we acknowledge the challenges in predicting the future of these athletes.
Let's begin with the first 10 swimmers on our list, each with their own unique story and potential for greatness:
#100: Katie Grimes, United States
Katie Grimes has the talent to soar to the top, but her 2025 performance was a bit of a letdown. After silver medal triumphs in the women's 400 IM at major meets in 2022, 2023, and 2024, she was expected to continue her dominance. However, a move to Virginia last year seemed to affect her performance, as she struggled at the NCAA Championships and only qualified for one event at the 2025 World Championships, finishing 6th in the 400 IM. Her time was a far cry from her personal best, but she's determined to make a comeback this year, which is why she couldn't be left off our list.
#99: Louise Hansson, Sweden
Louise Hansson stepped up as one of Sweden's top swimmers in 2025, especially with Sarah Sjostrom taking a break to start a family. At the World Championships, she showed her potential, finishing 18th in the 50 fly and 22nd in the 100 fly. But it was at the SC Euros where she truly shone, winning bronze in the 100 fly and placing 5th and 7th in the 50 fly and 50 back, respectively. With her strong relay duties and the upcoming European Championships, Hansson is set to make a big splash.
#98: Barbora Seemanova, Czech Republic
Barbora Seemanova had a breakthrough year in 2025, ranking 61st in our Top-100. She impressed at the 2024 European Championships and qualified for the finals in the 200 freestyle in Paris. This year, she focused on the 100 and 200 freestyle, dropping the 100 fly and 200 IM. At Worlds, she finished 5th in the 200 free and also made it to the semifinals in the 100 free. Her times were impressive, and she's a serious medal contender at the upcoming European Championships in the 200 freestyle.
#97: Erin Gallagher, South Africa
The addition of stroke 50s to the Olympic lineup has put a spotlight on these events, and Erin Gallagher is a prime example. She finished 8th in the 50 fly at the World Championships, but her semifinal time was exceptional, tying her for 4th overall. She also performed well in the 100 fly, finishing 17th. Gallagher is a solid medal threat at the Commonwealth Games, especially if she continues her upward trajectory.
#96: Rikako Ikee, Japan
Rikako Ikee's return to swimming after her battle with leukemia has been inspiring. At the 2025 World Championships, she showed her resilience, finishing 14th overall in the 100 fly. Her time was just off her personal best, but her prelims swim was faster than her semifinal time at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ikee also qualified for the semifinals in the 50 fly, finishing 11th overall. At just 25, she could make a remarkable comeback to her 2018 form.
#95: Amalie Smith, Great Britain
Amalie Smith, our first junior swimmer on the list, is a rising star. She turned 16 in August and became the fastest European Junior swimmer ever in the SCM 400 IM. At the World Junior Championships, she won silver medals in both the 200 and 400 IM, setting personal bests. Her improvement this year has been remarkable, and she's a serious contender for medals at the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games, especially in the 400 IM.
#94: McKenzie Siroky, United States
McKenzie Siroky's swimming journey is unique. Originally committed to playing Division I Hockey, she continued swimming and broke records in the breaststroke events. In 2024, she qualified for the Olympic Trials and finished 7th in the 100 breaststroke. This summer, she made her international debut in the 50 breaststroke. Siroky is looking at some big improvements this year, and she's already qualified for the U.S. Pan Pacs team.
#93: Moesha Johnson, Australia
Moesha Johnson is a force to be reckoned with in open water swimming, but she also races in the pool. At the 2025 World Championships, she dominated the open water events and finished 6th in the 1500 freestyle. Her focus is on open water, but she's a strong contender in the pool as well. Johnson will likely race the distance events at Pan Pacs in 2026 and is the favorite for the open water 10k.
#92: Minna Abraham, Hungary
Minna Abraham is one of Europe's top 200 freestylers, and she finished 2025 tied for 17th in the world in the long course 200 freestyle. At the World Championships, she swam a solid semifinal, but it was at the SC Euros where she truly excelled, winning silver in the 200 free and setting a personal best. With the upcoming long course Euros, she's set to make a big impact.
#91: Sienna Toohey, Australia
Sienna Toohey, our second junior swimmer, is making waves in the breaststroke events. At just 16, she's been breaking national age records for years. She made her senior international debut at the 2025 World Championships, finishing 22nd in the 100 breast and 13th in the 50 breast. Her time in the 100 breast at the Australian Swimming Trials ended the year ranked 18th in the world, and she's showing consistent improvement. Toohey is a strong contender for the Australian relay team and will be a force to watch at Pan Pacs and the Commonwealth Games.
Stay tuned as we continue to unveil the SwimSwam Top 100 Swimmers of 2026! Who do you think will make the biggest impact this year? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments!
