Russian Olympic champion Alexander Popov will likely stop the show at the FINA World Masters Championships when he competes in Kazan, Russia, alongside thousands of athletes from ages 25 to 94.
Popov, the winner of nine Olympic medals including gold in the 50 and 100 freestyles in 1992 and 1996, will make his international Masters swimming debut in those events. The 43-year-old is also scheduled to swim on a couple of relays for Myswimm Masters. Popov’s entry times (27.00 in 50 free, 55.00 in 100 free) are light years behind what he swam at his peak in the 1990s, but expect him to challenge for gold medals in the 40-44 age group. He’s seeded 30th in the 50 free and fifth in the 100 free.
As expected, the entry list for the Masters world championships is full of Russian citizens, but others from around the world are expected to shine at the Aquatics Palace. Three of them have been named Swimming World Magazine World Masters Swimmers of the Year.
Nicolas Granger of France, who just broke his own world record in the 200 IM, is scheduled to swim the 200 IM and four others: 200 free, 100 breast, 100 fly and 400 IM. Look for him to take multiple world marks in the 45-49 age group. Granger is a two-time World Masters Swimmer of the Year, earning the honors in 2013 and 2015.
Photo Courtesy: Nicolas Granger
Tim Shead, who was named a World Masters Swimmer of the Year in 2014, will compete in all three breaststroke events, as well as the 200 back and 200 IM. Shead, who was born and raised in the United States, will represent South Africa at worlds. He built his P2Life business in South Africa while raising a family there, and divides his time between the U.S. and South Africa.
Sanderina Kruger is on track for multiple Masters world records in Kazan after setting world records in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyles in 2014 to earn her first Swimming World Magazine World Masters Swimmer of the Year honor. The South African should be the class of the field in the 65-69 age group as well in the 50 and 100 backstrokes.
Another South African to watch for is Calvin Maugham, who is returning to the sport after a 30-year hiatus. He broke the world record in the 100 free earlier this year and will be chasing that mark, as well as gold in the 50 free and 50 fly.
Romania’s Stefan Gherghel, the 2002 and 2003 NCAA champion in the 200 butterfly, will add more elite-level flair to Masters worlds. His only butterfly race in Kazan will be the 100 fly, with freestyle looking to be his focus. He is also entered in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyles as well as the 100 back.
There’s no way Popov is going to go that slow. 27/55? He’s sandbagging!
I’d love to see him swim.
Butterflier HöDzíí ElRïdï????
Seen Michele Ferrari lately, M. Grainger?