The second finals session of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina was a packed night, with 8 medal finals and 2 semi-final rounds.
Men’s 100 Back Final
Russian Kliment Kolesnikov kicked off the night of finals with a win in the 100 back. Kolesnikov touched in 53,26, about three-quarters of a second above his world junior record from this summer’s European Championships, where he won gold in 52.53.
In second was Romania’s Daniel Martin, who led at the 50 in 25.65 but couldn’t hold off Kolesnikov down the stretch. He finished in 53.59, ahead of Italy’s Thomas Ceccon in 53.65.
Women’s 200 Fly Final
Hungarian Blanka Berecz won the first women’s event of the evening in 2:10.37. Berecz started off just 6th at the 50 meter mark, but worked her way past the field to have a half second lead at the 150. In second was South Africa’s Dune Coetzee (2:11.71) and Australia’s Michaela Ryan was back in third in 2:13.12.
Men’s 200 Free Final
Hungarian Kristof Milak earned his second gold medal of these championships after his 400 free victory last night, taking the 200 free in 1:47.73. That was just over a half second off of his best time from this summer’s European Juniors meet. Milak was trailing Sweden’s Robin Hanson heading into the last 50, but pulled out a 26.66 final 50 to take the gold. Hanson was second in 1:48.14, while Israel’s Denis Loktev was third in 1:48.53.
Women’s 50 Breast Final
Lithuanian Agne Seleikaite touched the wall in 31.37 to win gold in the 50 breaststroke, backing up her top seed place from semi-finals. Seleikaite is countrymates with Olympic gold medalist Ruta Meilutyte, who won this same event at these Games four years ago. Australian Chelsea Hodges was second in 31.42, while Slovenia’s Tina Celik won bronze in 31.75.
Men’s 100 Fly Semi-Final
16-year-old Russian Andrei Minakov was the sole swimmer in the field under 52 seconds in the semi-finals of the 100 fly to grab the middle lane heading into tomorrow’s final. Milak, fresh off his gold medal in the 200 free, was back in the pool in this event to grab the third seed in 52.56, while Romania’s Daniel Martin came back from his silver medal performance in the 100 back to advance fifth here in 52.70.
Women’s 100 Free Semi-Final
Czeh Republic swimmer Barbora Seemanova led all competitors through the semis of the women’s 100 free, touching first in 54.61. Joining her as the only other swimmer under 55 seconds was China’s Yang Junxuan, who touched second in 54.79.
Men’s 100 Breast Final
China’s Sun Jiajun was the only swimmer in the final under 1:01, winning the event by nearly a full second. Sun touched in 1:00.59, ahead of Kyrgyzstan’s Denis Petrashov (1:01.34) and Japan’s Taku Taniguchi (1:01.40).
Notably, top seed Michael Houlie of South Africa was out fast at the 50 in 27.43, but couldn’t hold on to the lead down the stretch. His time of 1:00.27 from the semi-final would have been good for gold tonight. He ended off the podium in fifth with a 1:01.70.
Women’s 100 Back Final
Russian Daria Vaskina won the 100 back in 1:00.45, narrowly defeating Australia’s Kaylee McKeown (1:00.58) and the United States’ Rhyan White (1:00.60). Similar to the men’s 100 breast, the top seed in this event from semi-finals, Polina Egorova, was only fourth here in the final.
Men’s 200 IM Final
Norwegian Tomoe Hvas set another national record in the 200 IM tonight after becoming the first Norwegian man under 2:00 in prelims. Hvas beat the field by nearly two seconds, touching first in 1:59.58. In second was Italy’s Thomas Ceccon, who backed up his bronze medal in the 100 back with a silver medal in this event (2:01.29). Canada’s Finlay Knox rounded out the podium in 2:01.91.
Women’s 400 Medley Relay Final
China took home the gold medal in the women’s 400 medley relay, with the team of Peng Xuwei (1:01.64), Zheng Muyan (1:10.13), Lin Xintong (59.42), and Yang Junxuan (53.99) pulling past the Australian’s in the final leg. The Aussies finished with the silver medal in 4:05.46, a half second ahead of Russia.