Katinka Hosszu inched closer to a legend’s Hungarian record in the 200 backstroke with another fast performance at the French Golden Tour circuit’s stop in Nancy.
Just one week removed from posting a 2:07.79 at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Charlotte, Hosszu improved on that with a blazing 2:06.81 in France. Not only is she within striking distance of Emily Seebohm’s world-leading 2:06.69, but Hosszu is just a finger length from the legendary Krisztina Egerszegi’s Hungarian record of 2:06.62 from the 1991 European championships. Hosszu was racing the clock from the start, as France’s Camille Gheorghiu was a distant second with a 2:12.14.
Alexandra Wenk pulled away from France’s Marie Wattel in the second half of the women’s 100 fly, winning with a 58.77 to Wattel’s 59.05. Hosszu nearly even-split the race, going out in 29.02 and reeling in the two leaders to tie for second with Wattel. Hosszu earned another second-place finish with a 1:09.58 in the 100 breast, swimming stroke-for-stroke with France’s Charlotte Bonnet, who got the win in 1:09.30.
After tying for the top seed in the 50 free with Greece’s Theodora Drakou with a 25.45, Hosszu scratched the final where Drakou won with a 25.53. Anna Santamans of France took second with a 25.61 while Germany’s Nina Kost claimed third with a 25.70.
Florent Manaudou is breaking the 22-second barrier in the 50 freestyle with regularity now, posting a 21.97 in the event in Nancy. He’s still at the top of the mountain with a 21.57 from the French nationals. Greece packed a powerful punch in the final, going 2-3 with Odyssefs Meladinis second with a 22.28 and NCAA champion Kristian Gkolomeev third with a 22.32.
Damien Joly, who made great leaps forward in distance freestyle swimming at the recent French nationals, impressed with a 7:56.38 in the 800 freestyle. It’s five seconds slower than the 7:51.74 he swam last month to rank fifth in the world, but it was far ahead of the competition in Nancy. Germany went 2-3, with Poul Zellmann placing second in 8:04.14 and Clemens Rapp third with an 8:06.32.
Germany’s Christian Diener got into the global top 20 with a 1:58.37 to win the 200 backstroke. His 1:58.62 from last month had him ranked 23rd in the world. David Verraszto of Hungary and Switzerland’s Lukas Rauftlin had a battle on their hands for second, with Verraszto getting the touchout, 2:03.93 to 2:03.95.
Marco Koch, mostly known for his 200 breaststroke prowess, has been improving his 100 breast performances, ranking 21st in the world so far this year with a 1:00.53 from last month’s German nationals. He nearly approached that time in Nancy with a 1:00.97 to lead a German 1-2-3 finish. Hendrik Feldwehr, ranked 23rd globally with a 1:00.63, placed second with a 1:01.28, while 12th ranked Christian Von Lehm (1:00.27) was third in 1:01.68.
Mehdy Metella was well of his season best of 51.74 in the 100 butterfly, but his 53.51 was enough to beat the 53.77 by Germany’s Philip Heintz.
Well fired back, Katinka 🙂
(y)
Maybe had she been taking the “vitamins” the Swimming World scribe postulated she was on she would have broken Missy’s world-record.
Oh, forgot , that’ll come @. Kazan. She just might too since I thhik the Chinese girl’s 2:01 200 fly wr is out of reach.
(y)
You’re the best in the world.
A legjobb! Casey Barrett egy Poetsch!!!
Casey Barrett will now face a Lawsuit – next time keep your opinion to yourself. Swimming World your experienced writer is now facing the consequences of his actions – l sincerely hope he will never see another one of his articles published again. Also stop publishing articles of Katinka Hosszu, you are simply not worthy.