Swimming in Swimming World Championships |  | ||||
| 2024 |  | NZL | Lewis Clareburt | |
| 2023 |  | FRA | Leon Marchand | |
| 2022 | | FRA | Leon Marchand | |
| 2019 |  | JPN | Daiya Seto | |
| 2017 |  | USA | Chase Kalisz | |
| 2015 | | JPN | Daiya Seto | |
| 2013 | | JPN | Daiya Seto | |
| 2011 | | USA | Ryan Lochte | |
| 2009 | | USA | Ryan Lochte | |
| 2007 | | USA | Michael Phelps | |
| 2005 |  | HUN | Laszlo Cseh Jr. | |
| 2003 | | USA | Michael Phelps | |
| 2001 |  | ITA | Alessio Boggiatto | |
| 1998 | | USA | Tom Dolan | |
| 1994 | | USA | Tom Dolan | |
| 1991 | | HUN | Tamas Darnyi | |
| 1986 | | HUN | Tamas Darnyi | |
| 1982 |  | BRA | Ricardo Prado | |
| 1978 | | USA | Jesse Vassallo | |
| 1975 | | HUN | Andras Hargitay | |
| 1973 | | HUN | Andras Hargitay | |