Andrey Minakov, the Russian record holder in the 100 fly, faced a challenge on the way to winning the event Tuesday at the Russian Championships. But he got to the wall first in 51.37 seconds, holding off a challenge from Egor Kuimov (51.67) and Oleg Kostin (51.95). Minakov was shy of his national record of 50.83.
Minakov was part of the mixed 400 freestyle relay representing St. Petersburg, joining Alexander Shchegolev, Daria Tatarinova and Alexandra Bykova to clock in at 3:27.72.
Arina Openysheva won the women’s 100 free in 54.67 at Day 3 of the meet. Second was Elizaveta Klevanovich in 54.78, with 17-year-old Ekaterina Nikonova third in 54.88.
Alexander Egorov dominated the 800 free, victorious by nearly three seconds in 7:54.63, one of three swimmers to break eight minutes. Anastasia Klyarovskaya was even more dominant in the women’s 200 back, the veteran going 2:11.81 to take first by more than three seconds.
In Tuesday’s semis, Grigory Tarasevich was first in the semifinals of the men’s 50 back in 24.83, with a trio of swimmers tied for second at 25.54. In the men’s 50 free, Ivan Kuzmenko is the top seed in Wednesday’s final at 22.27.
Daria Tatarinova was quickest in the women’s 50 fly, clocking in at 26.59. Daria Vaskina (26.60) and Anita Grishchenko (26.66) are also in striking distance.