Joan Lluis Pons became the seventh swimmer to book a provisional spot on Spain’s Olympic team when he dipped inside the FINA ‘A’ cut in the 400IM at the Spanish Open Championships in Sabadell.
The competition is Spain’s second Olympic selection meet with athletes earning consideration for the team as long as they finish in the top two and inside the FINA ‘A’ time.
The European bronze medallist stopped the clock at 4:15.29, 0.55 inside the cut-off for Tokyo, 24 hours after Jimena Perez had booked her ticket in 8:33.17 over 800 free.
Pons had negotiated the morning heats in 4:21.22 and returned in the evening to all but punch his ticket for his second Olympics in Japan in a little under four months from now.
The 24-year-old – who set the Spanish record of 4:13.30 when finishing fourth at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju – produced the fastest final 50 of 29secs.
Splits: 59.18/2:05.24/3:16.54/4:15.29
Alex Castejon Ramirez was second in 4:18.71, his time outside the standard required for consideration.
Anja Crevar of Serbia won the women’s race in 4:40.17 with Catalina Corro the first Spaniard to touch in 4:2.60.
Cesar Castro Valle won the men’s 200 free in 1:47.79 but was outside the A cut of 1:47.02 while Africa Zamorano – who has already booked her spot on the team in the 200 back – won the women’s race in 2:00.79.
Konrad Czerniak of Poland won the men’s 100 fly in 52.32 with Alberto Lozano the first Spaniard home in 53.11. Aina Hierra Pujol took the women’s race in 1:00.44.
Jessica Vall – already through in the 200br – won the non-Olympic 5obr in 31.50 with Martin Melconian Alves taking the men’s title in 28.07.
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