Olympic Games 2016 Swimming - Source: Getty — Bob Bowman is all praises for Michael Phelps' unique achievements [Image for Representational Purposes] [Image Source : Getty]

Michael Phelps' former coach Bob Bowman is all praise for the swimmer as he tops the charts with this incredible achievement

Modified Oct 10, 2024 02:01 GMT

Michael Phelps' former coach Bob Bowman continues to be proud of his students' achievements. Bowman recently shared an incredible achievement of Phelps, apart from praising his dedication.

Taking to Instagram, Bowman shared a pictograph about the most world records set by an individual male swimmer, where Phelps had topped the list with 29 records set in just eight years. Bowman wrote in his Instagram story,

"Nobody worked harder in the Olympic space than @M_PHELPS00"

Screengrab of Bob Bowman's Instagram Story [Image Source: Bob Bowman's Instagram]

According to the list shared by Bowman, Phelps has created the most number of world records in individual swimming events, between 2001 and 2009. The American swimming sensation was overwhelmed by the affection shown by his former coach as he reposted the story on his Instagram account, along with the caption,

"Thx @coach_bowman"

Michael Phelps made his international swimming debut at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 when he was only 15 years old. Since then, there has been no looking back.

However, all of Phelps' world records have been created in the long course events, whereas the most number of world records in the short course events is held by Phelps' teammate and former Olympic champion, Ryan Lochte, who created 10 world records in the short course events, between the years 2006 and 2012.

Michael Phelps on turning in to a disciplinarian under Coach Bob Bowman

Bob Bowman watching Michael Phelps at the Olympic trials in Omaha [Image Source : Getty]

Michael Phelps Jr. is undoubtedly one of the greatest male swimmers in the history of swimming. With 26 Olympic medals and 32 World Championships medals to his credit, Phelps has achieved what would take swimmers generations to achieve.

However, nothing would have been possible without the coaching from Bob Bowman, who had an unorthodox approach to making champions out of budding swimmers. Phelps recounted the first time he met Bowman at the age of 12 years, and how he wished to make it big at the Olympics. In his words,

"...I mean, Bob [Bowman] is a psycho when it comes to details. (laughs) I mean psycho in the best, most endearing, heartfelt, loving way."(via Forbes).

Phelps further elaborated on Bowman's approach during a conversation about French swimmer Leon Marchand, who is also coached by Bob Bowman.

"Every single day, our coach Bob is giving us certain challenges to prepare us for the moment those lights come on. The most pressured situations. That’s why Léon and I have been able to rise above the rest. Because Bob has literally put us through every possible situation. So, if there’s a race that comes down to a touch, you can pretty much guarantee it's going to be one of us that's going to win that race. It's because of the repetitions that you do every single day," he further added.

Bob Bowman is currently giving his services to the University of Texas, where he is the current director of swimming and diving. Apart from that, Bowman has also coached Leon Marchand of France, who won four gold medals and one bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024.