FINA World Championships Predictions: Men’s 400 IM

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For the first time in his career at next week’s FINA World Championships, Chase Kalisz will swim an event besides only the 400 IM. He will contend for a medal in the 200 IM, but it’s only in the 400 IM, the event where he first made a name for himself, that Kalisz will challenge for gold.

Ever since the Olympics, when he could not catch Kosuke Hagino on the final 50 in the 400 IM final, Kalisz has been dominant in the 400 IM. He broke 4:10 in-season for the first time ever, and then at U.S. Nationals, swimming with a huge lead, he posted a world-leading time of 4:06.99.

Kalisz will face his challengers in Budapest, most notably Japanese Olympic gold medalist Kosuke Hagino, his countryman and two-time defending World Champion Daiya Seto and Hungarian David Verraszto, who missed the Olympic final but currently ranks second in the world at 4:07.47.

But so far this year, none have been more impressive than Kalisz.

Read below to see what Swimming World’s trio of experts think will happen in Budapest. David Rieder, John Lohn and Andy Ross will each offer their predictions for who will finish on the podium.

Men’s 400 IM

Current Records:

World Record: Michael Phelps, USA (2008) — 4:03.84
Championship Record: Michael Phelps, USA (2007) — 4:06.22
American Record: Michael Phelps (2008) — 4:03.84

2015 World Champion: Daiya Seto, JPN — 4:08.50
2016 Olympic Gold Medalist: Kosuke Hagino, JPN — 4:06.05
2017 World No. 1: Chase Kalisz, USA — 4:06.99

Swimming World Predictions

David Rieder’s Picks:

Gold: Chase Kalisz, USA
Silver: Kosuke Hagino, JPN
Bronze: David Verraszto, HUN

John Lohn’s Picks:

Gold: Chase Kalisz, USA
Silver: Kosuke Hagino, JPN
Bronze: Daiya Seto, JPN

Andy Ross’ Picks:

Gold: Chase Kalisz, USA
Silver: Kosuke Hagino, JPN
Bronze: Daiya Seto, JPN

Previous Events

Day One:

Day Two:

Day Three:

Day Four:

Day Five:

Day Six:

Day Seven:

Day Eight:

Women’s 50 Breast

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commonwombat

7 years ago

Kalisz, Hagino & Seto look the most likely podium. Verraszto, Litherland & Litchfield could sneak a medal should one of the aforementioned be on an “off day”. Could Kalisz reverse the Rio order ….. he has to be rated a very solid chance.

Brownish

7 years ago

Reply to commonwombat

Verraszto is in good shape and his psyche seems to be in order nowadays.