World record progression 200 metres breaststroke

There have been two rule changes enacted by FINA for this event that have resulted in the nullification of world records.

In the mid-1930s, many breaststroke swimmers began practicing an early variant of the butterfly stroke that involved recovering the arms above the water in an effort to reduce drag.

Another style was developed by the Japanese swimmer Masaru Furukawa shortly after this rule change.

It involved swimming underwater for as much of each pool length as possible without surfacing, as the act of breaking the water's surface created resistance, slowing a swimmer.

This method of swimming the breaststroke was disallowed by FINA in 1956 and records set with the technique were nullified.