2018 Male Open Water Swimmer of the Year: Kristof Rasovszky
For the past two years, the Netherlands’ Ferry Weertman has reigned as the male Open Water Swimmer of the Year, winning gold in the 10-kilometer race at the 2016 Olympics and again at the 2017 World Championships. But in 2018 at the European Championships, a young man pushed Weertman to the brink in the 10K and won two gold medals of his own in the 5K and 25K.
That man—Kristof Rasovszky of Hungary—has now taken the title of top open water swimmer in the world.
When he was a teenager, Rasovszky was already an Olympian, but in the pool. He swam the 1500 meter free at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, where he finished 35th, and he improved to 24th in the event a year later at the World Championships. But it was two weeks before that when he realized his true talents in swimming were outside the confines of lane lines.
Strongly encouraged to try open water after his earlier pool accomplishments, Rasovszky made his debut at those World Championships in Budapest and posted surprising results for a rookie swimmer in a new medium. He finished seventh in the 5K race, missing a medal by 5.6 seconds, and he improved to fifth in the 10K, just 2.5 seconds away from the podium.
“I learned one simple thing while racing at home in Balatonfured,” Rasovszky said. “It’s not enough to be in very good shape, but you need to be able to be in shape to race according to your own tactics.”
To learn more about Rasoszky and his many accomplishments, check out the November 2018 issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now! Swimming World subscribers can download this issue in the Swimming World Vault!
[PHOTO BY ANDREA STACCIOLI/DEEPBLUEMEDIA/INSIDEFOTO]
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FEATURES
016 2018 OPEN WATER SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
by Annie Grevers and David Rieder
Sharon van Rouwendaal, 25, of the Netherlands earned her third Swimming World Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year award (2014, 2016, 2018), while Hungary’s Kristof Rasovszky, 21, won his first Male SOY title only a year after making his open water swimming debut at last year’s World Championships.
020 THE SWIM
by Steven Munatones
Ben Lecomte is attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean from Japan to California, which would be the longest swim in history. However, the long-term value of The Swim will be the information and science that will be uncovered.
022 THE DUTCH CLOSER
by Steven Munatones
With a furious sprint to the finish, The Netherlands’ Ferry Weertman won this year’s RCP Tiburon Mile in San Francisco Bay. Only six seconds separated the top five finishers, including the fastest woman, the USA’s Ashley Twichell.
024 SWIMMING TO HELP FIGHT CANCER
by Joseph Salvatore Prezioso
This past summer’s Boston Harbor Open Water Swim was one of several swimming-related events sponsored by Swim Across America to raise money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment. Since its founding in June 1987, SAA has raised more than $75 million that has been donated to hospitals throughout the United States.
026 TWICE THE MAN
by David Rieder
Not many swimmers are able to do what Jordan Wilimovsky does—and that’s swim both the 1500 meter freestyle in the pool and the 10K Marathon race in open water…and be successful at both. In fact, in 2016 he became the first American ever to qualify in both pool and open water events at the same Olympics.
COACHING
010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: RAY BUSSARD
by Michael J. Stott
014 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON BIOMECHANICS AND MEDICINE IN SWIMMING
by Rod Havriluk
The XIIIth International Symposium on Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming (BMS) was held in Japan, Sept. 17-21, at the University of Tsukuba. There were presentations by delegates from 23 countries on a wide range of topics—from learning skills for drowning prevention to technique and training strategies for optimizing performance.
034 DO MULTI-SPORT ATHLETES MAKE BETTER SWIMMERS?
by Michael J. Stott
While there is no scientific certainty surrounding this question, there is considerable empirical evidence to support it.
037 SPECIAL SETS: JEFFCO 400 IM SETS
by Michael J. Stott
042 Q&A WITH COACH SCOTT TEETERS
by Michael J. Stott
043 HOW THEY TRAIN AARON BUCHANAN AND IRAN ALMEIDA
by Michael J. Stott
TRAINING
041 DRYSIDE TRAINING: STROKE AND DISTANCE STRENGTH SERIES— MID-DISTANCE FREESTYLE
by J.R. Rosania
JUNIOR SWIMMER
038 GOLDMINDS: ANYONE CAN LEAD!
by Wayne Goldsmith
All it really takes to be a great leader on your team is a willingness and a desire to help your teammates be all they can be.
045 UP & COMERS: GRACE MONAHAN
by Taylor Brien
COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS
008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
013 BEYOND THE YARDS
019 THE OFFICIAL WORD
029 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
046 GUTTER TALK
048 PARTING SHOT
Congratulations
Ferry Weertman