The Netherlands’ Marrit Steenbergen continued to steal the spotlight from the field with her sprint escapades at the first European Games.
FINALS
Russia’s Arina Openysheva, who is being called a mini Michael Phelps with her quest to win eight golds here in Baku, won the women’s 400-meter free in 4:08.81. Germany’s Leonie Kullmann touched second in 4:12.16 with Russia’s Anastasia Kirpichnikova taking third in 4:13.13.
The Netherlands’ Marrit Steenbergen tied her European Junior Record in the women’s 100-meter free with a blazing time of 53.97 that puts her 11th in the world rankings.
Steenbergen definitely looks like an up-and-comer who can join the likes of Femke Heemskerk and Ranomi Kromowidjojo to keep The Netherlands in the driver’s seat in terms of the women’s 400-meter freestyle relay.
That swim pushed Openysheva to second with a time of 54.45 with the Russian now owning a pair of golds (with a win in the 400 free relay on night one) and a silver. Russia’s Mariia Kameneva claimed third in 55.19.
Great Britain’s Luke Greenbank raced his way to victory in the men’s 100-meter back with a 54.76. Russia’s Filipp Shopin took second with a time of 54.81, while Germany’s Marek Ulrich snared third in 55.35.
Germany’s Julia Mrozinski hit the wall in 2:11.19 to top the women’s 200-meter fly. Italy’s Elisa Scarpa Vidal wound up second on 2:12.27 with Hungary’s Boglarka Bonecz claiming third in 2:12.42.
Russia’s Anton Chupkov won the men’s 200-meter breast in 2:10.85 with teammate Kirill Mordashev taking second in 2:12.94. Great Britain’s Luke Davies wound up third in 2:13.45.
In a close battle, Russia’s Polina Egorova touched out Germany’s Maxine Wolters, 2:11.23 to 2:11.38, for the women’s 200-meter back crown. Ukraine’s Maryna Kolesnykova finished third in 2:11.91.
France’s Nicolas D’Oriano topped the men’s 1500-meter free in 15:13.31, while Russia’s Ernest Maksumov finished second in 15:13.90. Israel’s Marc Hinawi put up a third-place time of 15:25.63.
Russia’s Vladislav Kozlov, Elisei Stepanov, Mariia Kameneva and Arina Openysheva won the mixed 400-meter free relay in a time of 3:30.30. Great Britain (3:32.65) and Germany (3:33.74) rounded out the podium.
SEMIFINALS
Italy’s Alessandro Miressi led the way in the men’s 100-meter free with a 49.80, while Great Britain’s Duncan Scott also cleared 50 with a 49.81 for the second seed.
Austria’s Sebastian Steffan led the way in the men’s 200-meter IM with a 2:01.92. Italy’s Lorenzo Glessi qualified second in 2:02.23.
Russia’s Daniil Pakhomov paced the men’s 200-meter fly in 1:57.74 with Italy’s Giacomo Carini taking the second seed in 1:57.80.
Russia’s Maria Astashkina vaulted to 11th in the world rankings in the women’s 200-meter breast with a sizzling 2:23.88 during semis. Great Britain’s Layla Black qualified a distant second in 2:27.09.
Chupkov swam 2:10.69 .in semis
Give him and Openysheva a couple mas anos and come ’17 Worldsthey could be medal contenders.
Looks like Steenbergen’s the next Simone Manuel!
Bill,
I hope Steenbergen becomes the next Cate Campbell instead of Simone Manuel…..Just saying