Daiya Seto is on fire. The Japanese medley World champion arrived in Beijing as one of those who speak to the label on the can: FINA Champions’ Series. He did not disappoint, an Asian record in the 200m butterfly elevating him to No3 all-time behind Kristof Milak and Michael Phelps.
First up, Seto took on Hungarian Tamas Kenderesi and his own national teammate Masato Sakai in the 200m butterfly – and trounced them with a 1:52.53 Asian Record. Seto led from go to gold, going through in a sizzling 53.36 at half-way.
The splits compared:
- 24.72; 53.36 (28.64) 1:22.34 (28.98); 1:52.53 (30.19)
- Milak’s splits: 24.66, 28.22, 28.69, 29.16. He was out in 52.88 and 1:21.57.
- Phelps’ splits: 24.76, 28.12, 29.05, 29.58. He was out in 52.88 and 1:21.93.
Kenderesi took second in 1:55.87, Sakai third in 1:56.23.
Seto’s time took out the 2008 Asian mark set by fellow Japanese teamster now retired Takeshi Matsuda in the same pool in Beijing at the 2008 Olympic Games when racing to the bronze medal behind Michael Phelps (USA) and Laszlo Cseh (HUN).
Those three times from the first season of shiny suits survive yet in the all-time top 10 in which Seto is now No3:
- 1:50.73 Milak,Kristof HUN
- 1:51.51 Phelps,Michael USA
- 1:52.53 SDeto, Daiya JPN
- 1:52.70 Cseh,Laszlo HUN
- 1:52.96 Le Clos,Chad RSA
- 1:52.97 Matsuda,Takeshi JPN
Seto, who in December helped Energy Standard to the first Pro-Team trophy of the International Swimming League with a set of blistering performances, including the 400m medley World short-course record, is now Japan No1 all-time, having risen from 4th on a best of 1:53.86 from World titles in Gwangju last July. After the 200 ‘fly record, Seto said:
“I am surprised with my 200m fly: I broke the Japanese national record! I was not in my best form but the time boosts my confidence. I swam a good result in 400IM in a world record time. But after that, I took a vacation and the Beijing leg is my first competition of the year. It is a great start for me. I will try to take care of myself and realise my dream to become the Olympic champion, in 200m fly and IM.”
He didn’t leave this day’s efforts at 200 ‘fly: Seto was back in the hunt over 200m medley later in the session, a 1:55.55 (24.58; 53.87; 1:26.93) keeping at bay China’s Wang Shun and Swiss challenger Jeremy Desplaches, on 1:56.81 and 1:57.66 respectively.
RACE VIDEO: Summary of Seto’s Sizzling Day In Beijing:
In other action:
In the men’s 100m breaststroke, China’s Yan Zibei got the better of Dutch challenger Arno Kamminga 58.83 to 58.95, courtesy of a 27.55 first lap and then holding the threat at bay 31.28 to 31.12 on the way home.
There was a tie for first in the 100m backstroke, Japan’s Ryosuke Irie and World champion from China Xu Jiayu on 52.97, the 2012 Olympic champion Matt Grevers, of the USA, on 53.71.
Vladimir Morozov, of Russia, took the 50m free in 21.55 ahead of a 21.86 from Kristian Gkolomeev, of Greece, American Michael Andrew on 21.89.
In the 200m free, Sun Yang, of China, clocked 1:45.55 to regain the upper hand over Lithuanian rival Danas Rapsys, the victor in Shenzhen a few days ago but on 1:45.74 today.
There were also wins for:
- Katinka Hosszu, of Hungary, on 2:09.95 in the 200m backstroke
- Liu Xiang of China, on 27.58 in the 50m backstroke
- Elena do Liddo, of Italy, on 58.09 in the 100m butterfly
- Yu Jingyao, of China, on 2:24.52 in the 200m breaststroke
- Ajna Kesely, of Hungary, on 4:09.10 in the 400m freestyle
- Nicolas Santos, of Brazil, on 22.95 in the 50m butterfly
- Siobhan Haughey, of King Kong, on 53.33 in the 100m freestyle
- Molly Hannis, of the USA, on 30.34 in the 50m breaststroke
