The first session of the 18th European SC Championships was full of surprises, including Katinka Hosszu breaking the 400m individual medley World Record.
The morning started with the men’s 100m butterfly where two swimmers broke the 50 seconds mark: Matteo Rivolta (ITA) 49.72 and Laszlo Cseh (HUN) 49.93. Then came the women’s 50m breastroke where two swimmers clearly stood out: Fanny Lecluyse (BEL) 29.74 and Jenna Laukkanen (FIN) 29.83. The men followed the women in the distance and Giedrius Titenis (LTU) was the fastest to finish the race with a time of 26.45.
Katinka Hosszu (HUN) did not miss her chance to light up the pool in the next race, which was the 400m individual medley where she broke the World Record in a time of 4.19.46. The record was previously held by Mireia Belmonte (ESP) in 4.19.86.
Men’s 400m freestyle saw Peter Bernek (HUN) come out as the fastest swimmer in a satisfying time of 3.39.84, Paul Biedermann (GER) came up 2nd in 3.40.72. He still holds the Championship Record on the distance in 3.34.55, established in Istanbul (TUR) in 2009.
The prelims of the women’s 100m backstroke were really fast as 10 swimmers swam under the 59 seconds mark. To enter the top 16 a time of 59.59 was needed. Top finisher was once again Katinka Hosszu (HUN) in 57.13. The Israeli crowd was in awe when Yakov Yan Toumarkin (ISR) swam the fastest men’s 200m backstroke signing a time of 1.50.33.
The recently added 4x50m freestyle relay race saw the men of this championships fight to earn a spot in the top eight for the final. The countries fighting for gold will be Russia, Italy, Belarus, Finland, Belgium, Romania, Hungary and Israel.
To wrap up this first session was the women’s 800m freestyle, Boglarka Kapas (HUN) finished 1st in 8.17.68, ahead of Jazmin Carlin (GBR) 8.18.43 and Sharon Van Rouwendaal (NED) 8.18.48.
The first afternoon session is scheduled to start at 5:30pm (Israel time), 6 finals are on the schedule: M 200m backstroke, W 400m individual medley, M 400m freestyle, W 50m breastroke, M 50m breastroke and the men’s 4×50 freestyle relay.
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Congrats, KT!
Now do it again toonite, then hop on your private SST, hie yourself over here to “Seattle” and do it lcm!
Oh and while you’re here take down your 200 IM wr and do likewise for 200 back/fly!