There are always questions about who is a better between two swimmers, and extra difficult when they have different stroke specialties.
Here we compare two swimmers, Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps. The ratings are based on a number of factors, rated by you the website visitor. See the rating list that this analysis is based upon for Thorpe and Phelps, and for Swimming.
the Phelps v Thorpe Swimmers Battle
Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps are two of the most celebrated swimmers in history, each known for their remarkable performances and unique strengths. Thorpe, nicknamed “The Thorpedo,” dominated the early 2000s, while Phelps set new records, becoming the most decorated Olympian. Based on visitor ratings for each athlete across various performance factors, here’s an analysis of their attributes and achievements. Below is a summary table of the ratings:
Factor | Ian Thorpe (out of 5) | Michael Phelps (out of 5) |
---|---|---|
Body Size and Composition | 4.1 | 4.4 |
Aerobic Endurance | 3.9 | 4.6 |
Strength & Power | 3.6 | 4.6 |
Speed / Quickness | 3.6 | 4.4 |
Flexibility | 3.3 | 4.2 |
Agility | 3.2 | 3.9 |
Balance & Coordination | 3.2 | 4.1 |
Reaction Time | 3.7 | 4.1 |
Analytic & Tactical Ability | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Motivation & Self Confidence | 4.0 | 5.0 |
Coping with Pressure | 3.8 | 4.9 |
Skill and Technique | 4.0 | 4.8 |
Analysis of Results
1. Body Size and Composition
- Thorpe: 4.1
- Phelps: 4.4
Comparison: Phelps scores higher in body size and composition, with a physique particularly suited to swimming. His wingspan, double-jointed ankles, and flexible shoulders give him an advantage in water. Thorpe, also physically gifted, had an ideal build for freestyle swimming but doesn’t match Phelps’s unique swimming anatomy.
2. Aerobic Endurance
- Thorpe: 3.9
- Phelps: 4.6
Comparison: Phelps excels in aerobic endurance, which allowed him to compete in multiple events and maintain a high performance level throughout demanding schedules. Thorpe was also noted for his endurance, especially in middle-distance events, but Phelps’s training and versatility in multiple strokes contribute to his higher rating.
3. Strength & Power
- Thorpe: 3.6
- Phelps: 4.6
Comparison: Phelps scores significantly higher in strength and power, helping him generate explosive starts and fast strokes across various swimming styles. Thorpe was strong, especially for freestyle events, but Phelps’s upper body strength gave him an edge, particularly in events that required short bursts of power.
4. Speed / Quickness
- Thorpe: 3.6
- Phelps: 4.4
Comparison: Phelps’s superior speed and quickness are apparent in his success across multiple event types, including sprints. Thorpe, while fast, focused more on middle-distance freestyle events, where pacing was crucial. Phelps’s quickness was a standout factor in shorter events, giving him an advantage in versatility.
5. Flexibility
- Thorpe: 3.3
- Phelps: 4.2
Comparison: Phelps’s exceptional flexibility, particularly in his ankles and shoulders, enabled him to optimize his strokes and streamline through the water. Thorpe was flexible as well but lacked the hyper-flexibility that allowed Phelps to achieve a more efficient swimming posture.
6. Agility
- Thorpe: 3.2
- Phelps: 3.9
Comparison: Phelps’s higher agility rating reflects his quick transitions and adaptability across strokes. Thorpe was agile in the water, but his style was more linear and less focused on the rapid adjustments seen in Phelps’s butterfly and individual medley events.
7. Balance & Coordination
- Thorpe: 3.2
- Phelps: 4.1
Comparison: Phelps’s high balance and coordination are key factors in his success across different strokes, allowing him to maintain control and fluidity. Thorpe’s freestyle technique showcased excellent balance, but Phelps’s adaptability and control in different events gave him an edge in coordination.
8. Reaction Time
- Thorpe: 3.7
- Phelps: 4.1
Comparison: Phelps’s quicker reaction time allowed him to achieve rapid starts, critical in events with close competition. Thorpe was also responsive in the water, but Phelps’s faster starts and turns were vital to his success, especially in short-distance races.
9. Analytic & Tactical Ability
- Thorpe: 3.8
- Phelps: 4.1
Comparison: Both athletes are highly analytical and tactical, with Phelps scoring slightly higher for his ability to adapt to race conditions and strategize across multiple event types. Thorpe’s tactical strengths were focused primarily on freestyle, while Phelps’s adaptability in different strokes showcases broader tactical prowess.
10. Motivation & Self Confidence
- Thorpe: 4.0
- Phelps: 5.0
Comparison: Phelps’s perfect score reflects his drive and unwavering self-confidence, which allowed him to compete at the highest level for years, winning 23 Olympic golds. Thorpe was highly motivated and confident, but Phelps’s mental fortitude and long career give him an edge in this area.
11. Coping with Pressure Situations
- Thorpe: 3.8
- Phelps: 4.9
Comparison: Phelps scores significantly higher in coping with pressure, consistently excelling under immense scrutiny and expectations. Thorpe performed well under pressure but faced challenges in maintaining his performance level consistently across competitions, especially compared to Phelps’s consistency.
12. Skill and Technique
- Thorpe: 4.0
- Phelps: 4.8
Comparison: Phelps scores higher in skill and technique, with his mastery across multiple strokes and events setting a new benchmark in swimming. Thorpe’s freestyle technique was revolutionary, but Phelps’s technical proficiency across butterfly, freestyle, backstroke, and medley events makes him more versatile.
Conclusion: Determining the Winner
Michael Phelps emerges as the winner in this comparison due to his higher ratings in body composition, endurance, power, quickness, flexibility, and mental resilience. Phelps’s physical and technical advantages, combined with his ability to handle pressure, allowed him to achieve an unprecedented number of Olympic medals and dominate multiple strokes. His adaptability, stamina, and skill across event types made him a phenomenon in the swimming world.
However, Ian Thorpe’s strengths in freestyle and his early dominance in the 2000s reflect his legendary status. Thorpe’s fluid technique, combined with his powerful build, made him nearly unbeatable in middle-distance freestyle events. His contributions to the sport were groundbreaking, and he set a high standard in technique and pacing.
In summary, while Phelps wins overall due to his versatility, endurance, and mental strength, Thorpe remains one of the greatest freestyle swimmers, known for his grace and dominance. Both athletes have left lasting legacies, each representing unique strengths and raising the bar for future generations in competitive swimming.
Related Pages
- List of athletes which have been rated
- Sports head-2-head battles
- Michael Phelp's autobiography Michael Phelps: Beneath the Surface
- Athlete profiles for Phelps and Thorpe

Old Comments
- Phelps is awesome and seen as all time better than anyone. (from Bharat Soni, Apr 2013)
- I love seeing swimming ian thorpe. he is best no doubt. and phelps is also a champ and phenomena but the swimming beauty that remains thorpedo that is only ian not any another person. (from meskat, Mar 2013)
- Just from my research assignment Ian is way more better! (from jenna, Mar 2013)
- Of course Micheal- he has got so universal skills that makes him the best ever. Ian was good only in one swimming style, but very good. So I pick Phelps. (from Radek, Jan 2013)
- Ian thorpe is better. Easily (from Jake, Sept 2012)
- This shows Thorpe was the better swimmer clearly. It's just Phelps definitely has more natural talent because Thorpe is taller, has bigger hands, bigger feet and the majority of those statistics are better ^^ it's just clear that Phelps has more and better natural talent. Also this doesnt go into detail about the underwater technique Phelps uses which would destroy Thorpe. (from Lee Mc Donald, Feb 2012)
- Phelps is better as he is able to achieve more records (from Jordan, July 2011)
- Well I reckon that if they would race against each other their times would be pretty much the same I reckon that thorpy is better than phelps because he's a healthier person he doesn't do drugs like phelps he's just better than phelps. just because phelps has more world records than thropy it doesn't mean that he is the best person in swimming in the world because hes not good at every single thing (Nat, Oct 2010)