Benedetta Pilato & Thomas Ceccon Book Olympic Berths At Italian Open
Benedetta Pilato and Thomas Ceccon booked tickets for Paris 2024 with victories in the 100m breaststroke and 100m backstroke respectively at the Italian Open in Riccione.
The meet serves as qualification for the 2024 Olympics and the World Championships in Doha with Pilato and Ceccon joining Alberto Razzetti – who set an Italian 200IM record of 1:56.21 on the opening night – and Gregorio Paltrinieri on the team for the French capital in July next year.
Pilato served notice of her intentions with a 1:06.18 prelims scorcher in the 100m breaststroke before returning in the evening to go 1:05.80, 0.13 faster than her winning time at the 2022 World Championships.
Benedetta Pilato; Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
The 18-year-old split 30.89/34.91 for the third-swiftest time of her career topped by her 1:05.70 from the 2022 Italian Championships and 0.13 outside Arianna Castiglioni‘s Italian record of 1:05.67 set in June 2021.
Castiglioni was second in Riccione in 1:06.76, 0.02 ahead of Martina Carraro (1:06.78).
An emotional Pilato said:
“I’m always just a little bit away from reaching the Italian record but this evening I really can’t complain.”
Pilato moved from Taranto to Turin in September and is now guided by Antonio Satta alongside her Biology studies at university.
That followed more than 12 years with previous coach Vito D’Onghia who had guided her since she was a small child.
Pilato continued:
“I can do even more and Antonio, from this point of view, is stimulating me a lot to give more day after day.
“However, I don’t want to deny the work done with Vito over 12 years: if I have achieved these successes it is also thanks to him”.
Paris will be a second Olympics for Pilato who experienced the toughest Games introduction in 2021 when she was DQd in the prelims.
Ceccon Set For Paris, Three Years After Fourth-Place Sting
Thomas Ceccon: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Splitting 25.34/27.38, Ceccon touched in 52.82, 0.09 inside the qualification time, three years after claiming 4×100 free silver and men’s medley relay bronze in Tokyo.
Ceccon was fourth in the 100 back in Japan, 0.11 behind Ryan Murphy in third, an outcome that stung the then 20-year-old but one that played a big role in his racing development.
The world record-holder said through the Italian federation:
“I’m happy because I achieved my goal.
“I haven’t been well these last few weeks: I’ve had some problems.”
It was the second victory of the Italian Open so far for Ceccon after he took the 50 fly on the opening night and behind him Michele Lamberti booked a spot on the team for the 2024 World Championships in 53.76.
Lorenzo Mora – who achieved the Doha qualifying in the 200 back on Tuesday – was third in 54.21.
Ludovico Blu Art Viberti will also travel to Doha after he won the men’s 100 breaststroke in 59.38, slicing 1.04secs from his 1:00.42 PB.
Behind him were Federico Poggio (59.63) and Nicolo Martinenghi (59.78), who has already made the worlds team over 50 and 100.
Leonardo Deplano – already qualified for the 2024 worlds – won the 50 free in 22.00, Gianmarco Sansone lowered his 100 fly PB to 52.27 and Marco De Tullio took the 400 free in 3:47.36.
Simona Quadarella – already going to Doha – won the 1500 free in 16:08.01, Giulia D’Innocenzo took the 200 free in 1:58.42, Costanza Cocconcelli won the women’s 50 back (28.32) and Viola Scotto di Carlo claimed the 50 fly in 26.27.