Double Olympic silver medallist Arno Kamminga twice went 58 in the 100m breaststroke on Sunday as the Eindhoven Qualification Meet concluded.
Kamminga went 58.71 (27.80/30.91) in the morning prelims with Olympic bronze medallist Nicolo Martinenghi going 58.78 little more than a hour later at the trials in Italy.
The Italian then went 58.57 in the evening finals in Riccione, minutes before Kamminga claimed victory in Eindhoven in 58.94.
With Adam Peaty having delivered 58.58 at the British Championships in his second meet since Tokyo earlier this week, indications are the two-length race will be among the most thrilling at both the World Championships and the European showcase in Rome in August.
The trio’s best times this season are separated by 0.06: Kamminga on 58.52, Martinenghi on 58.57 and Peaty 58.58.
Tes Schouten came from 0.11 down at halfway to win the women’s race in 1:08.06 ahead of Madelijne Schothans – who was fourth at the turn but then took second in 1:08.96 – and Rosey Metz (1:08.99).
Jesse Puts won the men’s 50 free in which 0.09 separated the top three: Puts took the title in 22.12 ahead of Thom de Boer (22.17) and Kenzo Simons (22.21).
With Ranomi Kromowidjojo now retired, Valerie van Roon stepped forward to win the women’s 50 free in 24.81 ahead of Tessa Giele (24.96).
Kira Toussaint won the 200 back in 2:14.53 and Imani de Jong took the 400 free in 4:11.90 with Marrit Steenbergen first in the 200IM in 2:12.44.
Henning Mühlleitner of Germany took the men’s 400 free in 3:48.08 and Farida Osman won the women’s 50 fly in 25.95, 0.01 ahead of Giele in 25.96.
Jan Sefl of the Czech Republic won the men’s 50 fly in 23.53 with Thomas Verhoeven the first Netherlands swimmer in 23.60.