Antonio Djakovic Completes Freestyle Quadruple & Sister Vanna Clinches Treble As Swiss Championships Wrap Up
Antonio Djakovic completed a sweep of the freestyle events from 200 to 1500 with victory over 400m as the Swiss Championships wrapped up in Sursee.
The two-time European medallist over eight lengths led throughout to stop the clock in 3:52.90. It was his fourth individual title of the meet following gold in the 200 (1:49.12), 800 (8:07.76) and 1500 (15:35.76).
Balint Ashton of Great Britain was second in 3:58.65 with Mattia Mauri the second Swiss man home in 4:00.72.
Sister Vanna Dkajovic also completed a fine meet with victory in the 1500 following a duel with Amelie Bertschi where the pair traded the lead throughout. The duo couldn’t be separated at 900m although Djakovic appeared to have made a decisive move by 1200 only for Bertschi to hit back, forming a 0.41 lead at the final turn. Djakovic however responded with a 30.72 final 50 to go past for victory in 17:07.08 to 17:07.21. Emma Fredersdorf was third in 17:44.04.
Djakovic added the title to her victories in the 400 (4:19.66) and 800 (8:54.75).
Mityukov Claims Backstroke Treble; Ponti Makes It Four
Roman Mityukov clinched the backstroke treble with victory over 100m in 53.96. The 24-year-old – who was sixth at the 2024 World Championships – added that to his 1:55.65 rankings-topper over 200 and 25.81 victory in the 50 as well as his silver in the 100 free.
Noè Ponti also made it four individual titles with victory in the 50 free in 22.61 as he clinched the sprint freestyle double following his 49.52 over 100m. The Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist also posted a 50.27 scorcher for the second-fastest 100 fly of his career on Saturday and went top of the 50 fly rankings with 22.77 in prelims before going on to secure the title in 22.81. There was no appearance in the 200 fly however with Ponti taking a break from the four-length event as he told Swimming World here.
It meant there’d be a new champion in the 200 with Marius Toscan coming from 0.38 down at the final turn to move past Enrico Sottile for victory in 1:59.33 to 1:59.43. Ilan Gagnebin was third in 2:00.84.
Brugger & Rasmussen Collect More Silverware
Angélique Brugger clinched the sprint freestyle double with victory in the 50 in 26.19 for her fourth title of the meet to mirror her 50/100 fly triumphs. Séraphine Hoigné (26.39) and Talia Jordan (26.47) were next home.
Gaia Rasmussen concluded a fine meet in Sursee as she booked two trips to the podium in the space of 40 minutes.
The 200 fly was first up where just 0.01 separated Fanny Borer and Rasmussen at halfway before the former pulled away on the third 50 to come home in 2:15.26. Rasmussen was second in 2:16.91 with Loane Richard taking third in 2:20.33.
Rasmussen returned for the 100 back where she was in control throughout to win in 1:02.50 as she claimed her third title of the meet following gold in the 200 back and 200 free. It was also her sixth medal overall along with 50 back and 200 fly silver and 100 free bronze.
Chiara Maria Strickner claimed silver by the narrowest of margins as she edged out Anastasia Hack in 1:03.38 to 1:03.39.
The meet concluded with the men’s and women’s 4x100m freestyle relays. Ponti joined forces with Djakovic, Fabian Kempf and Gian-Luca Gartmann to lead off the Schwimmclub Uster quartet in 49.59 as they claimed victory in 3:20.65.
A 56.82 anchor leg by Lea Harrison steered the women’s Schwimmclub Uster squad to top spot in 3:52.25.