Gregorio Paltrinieri was astonished by his own performance after swimming the second-fastest 1500m free in history to lower his own European record to 14:33.10 at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome on Thursday.
The 25-year-old, who became the first Italian to win the longest race in the pool at the Olympics when he triumphed at Rio 2016, dominated from start to finish to win by 16.88secs from Domenico Acarenza who clocked 14:49.98 for second, good enough for sixth at last year’s World Championships.
It means Paltrinieri now owns the second and third-fastest times in history after he cut 0.94 from his previous best of 14:34.04 which he had set en-route to the European title in London in May 2016.
The only man to have gone faster is Sun Yang, the Chinese swimmer having clocked 14:31.02 on his way to Olympic gold in London in 2012.
It came 24 hours after he rattled his 800 continental mark in 7:40.22 as he brought the three-day meet at the Foro Italico to a spectacular close.
Paltrinieri came home in a final 100 of 56.65 and on seeing the scoreboard, launched himself on to the lane rope, clenched his fists and let out a roar.
Given he was sporting a moustache it begs the question of what is possible once fully rested and shaved.
For now, though, Paltrinieri was in dreamland.
“It’s too good. I didn’t know how fast I was going, I knew I was going strong because I felt the swim like never before.
“14:33 is really strong, I would never have dreamed of it.
“I made a very strong 800 so swimming the next day is not easy.”
He added:
“I had a nice race today, I felt it and I was convinced of it. I felt that the stroke was good, that I had a good rhythm and it is that rhythm that makes me go.”
Photo Courtesy: Gian Mattia Dalberto/Lapresse
He insisted last month that the pool remained a priority after he joined the Italian national open water squad under the guidance of Fabrizio Antonelli.
Paltrinieri announced in May that he had split with Stefano Morini, his coach of nine years and the man who helped guide him to Olympic gold.
He had also credited the break enforced by the pandemic for renewing his motivation and of the changes he has made in recent months, Paltrinieri said on Thursday:
“I think I’ve always been brave over the years in doing what I wanted to do, I felt it was the right time.
“As in a love relationship: when something is missing it is better to change, I did so and I’m having a lot of fun, I take the races better and I’m fine.”
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Congratulations
Adriano Polo
Gus Benoit the resemblance is uncanny
Michael Venis I did a 16 min one
Caitlin Davy Jesus Christ 14 minuets !!!!!
Unreal,great swim