At Stockholm Open, Katinka Hosszu Wins 200 IM While Searching for Tokyo Momentum
What will Katinka Hosszu do at this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo? It is a leading question in the sport, as the three-time gold medalist from the 2016 Games has not been the dominant swimmer who headed into Rio de Janeiro with total confidence. These days, Hosszu does not resemble her Iron Lady identity, and it remains to be seen whether she will peak in Tokyo.
If nothing else, the Hungarian star put together a solid tuneup in the 200-meter individual at the Stockholm Open on Saturday. Pushed by Anastasia Gorbenko on the opening butterfly leg, Hosszu took command on the backstroke leg and won the race in 2:11.54, with Gorbenko placing second in 2:13.49. Hosszu is the reigning Olympic champion in the event, along with the 400 medley and 100 backstroke.
Gorbenko, of Israel, claimed victory in the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:10.86 while the 400 freestyle went to the Czech Republic’s Barbora Seemanova in 4:09.87. Meanwhile, 14-year-old Eneli Jefimova of Estonia was quickest in the 200 breaststroke, going 2:26.88.
Denmark’s Julie Jensen provided a spark in the 50 freestyle, covering her lap in 24.71 to fend off Sweden’s Michelle Coleman (24.96) and Finland’s Fanny Teijonsalo (24.97).
Better known for his ability in the 200 individual medley and 200 butterfly, Greece’s Andreas Vazaios showed he has some speed in the arsenal when he won the 100 freestyle. Vazaios was the lone athlete to break the 49-second mark when he touched the wall in 48.93 to defeat Germany’s Josh Salchow (49.08).
Germany’s Jacob Heidtmann immediately surged to the lead in the men’s 400 individual medley and had no trouble getting to the wall first. Heidtmann came through with a time of 4:16.73 to win by more than four seconds. Sebastian Lunak topped the field in the 200 butterfly in 1:57.77 and Tomas Franta was first in the 100 backstroke in 54.47.