PRAGUE, Czech Republic, June 1. THERE’s little doubt that Iron Lady Katinka Hosszu’s impressive multi-event programs at meets are influencing the rest of the world, and today’s final session at the Arena Cup in Prague demonstrated that to the fullest. Austrian Olympian Lisa Zaiser looked a lot like Hosszu today by entering in every event of the final session, winning three of them.
Czech record holder Petra Chocova, who holds the mark with a 1:08.08 from a year ago, smoked the women’s 100-meter breast today with a 1:09.55 for the win. Zaiser took second overall in 1:12.07 immediately after winning the 200 free in the first event of the final session (see below for details). Anna Sztankovics placed third in 1:13.42.
Lisa Zaiser took down the women’s 200-meter freestyle finale with a 2:08.46, while Pavlina Butalova (2:09.21) and Martina Elhenicka (2:09.55) touched second and third in the event. Zaiser claimed her third straight podium, this time with a second straight win as she posted a 2:23.56 in the women’s 200-meter IM. Caroline Pohle placed second in 2:24.32 with Kristyna Horska earning third in 2:24.56. Zaiser raced her way to a third title in 9:01.59 to capture the women’s 800-meter freestyle. Jordis Steinegger (9:02.49) and Alena Benesova (9:09.41) finished second and third.
In an exciting finish, Tobias Horn touched out Tomas Havranek, 1:52.87 to 1:52.89, in the men’s 200-meter freestyle finale. Jan Micka wound up third in the event with a 1:53.67. Jan Kutil hit the wall in 1:04.02 to win the men’s 100-meter breaststroke today, while Johannes Dietrich finished second in 1:05.10. Jakob Hoffmann rounded out the top three in 1:05.81.
Pavel Janecek took home the men’s 200-meter IM in 2:06.62 with Sebastian Steffan earning second in 2:09.55. Tomas Havranek placed third in 2:09.58. David Brandl closed out the meet with an 8:16.36 win in the men’s 800-meter free. Jan Kutnik (8:18.31) and Roman Dmytrijev (8:20.34) touched second and third.