Swimming in Swimming World Championships |  | ||||
| 2024 |  | RSA | Matthew Sates | |
| 2023 |  | FRA | Leon Marchand | |
| 2022 |  | HUN | Kristof Milak | |
| 2019 | | HUN | Kristof Milak | |
| 2017 | | RSA | Chad le Clos | |
| 2015 | | HUN | Laszlo Cseh Jr. | |
| 2013 | | RSA | Chad le Clos | |
| 2011 |  | USA | Michael Phelps | |
| 2009 | | USA | Michael Phelps | |
| 2007 | | USA | Michael Phelps | |
| 2005 |  | POL | Pawel Korzeniowski | |
| 2003 | | USA | Michael Phelps | |
| 2001 | | USA | Michael Phelps | |
| 1998 |  | UKR | Denys Sylvantyev | |
| 1994 |  | RUS | Denis Pankratov | |
| 1991 | | USA | Melvin Stewart | |
| 1986 |  | FRG | Michael Gross | |
| 1982 | | FRG | Michael Gross | |
| 1978 | | USA | Michael Bruner | |
| 1975 | | USA | William Forrester | |
| 1973 | | USA | Robin Backhaus | |