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Nicolo Martinenghi Goes Third All-Time With Italian 100 Breaststroke Record Of 58.37
Nicolo Martinenghi set a national 100m breaststroke record of 58.37 to become the third-fastest man in history at the Italian Swimming Championships in Riccione.
Gregorio Paltrinieri set an 800 free meet record of 7:41.96 and Federico Burdisso rattled the 200 fly rankings but it was Martinenghi who commanded the spotlight in the penultimate race of the night.
The meet represents the final chance to guarantee a spot on the Italian team for Tokyo although some swimmers may negotiate their way there at the Sette Colli in June.
Martinenghi – who had already booked his ticket for Tokyo – set the previous Italian record of 58.75 in December 2019 at the National Winter Championships, also in Riccione.
The 21-year-old went out in 27.28 and came back in 31.09 to take 0.38 off that mark to move behind just Adam Peaty and his world record of 56.88 and Ilya Shymanovich (58.29) with Martinenghi’s effort pushing Arno Kamminga (58.43) into fourth.
It propelled Martinenghi top of the world rankings ahead of Peaty and his time of 58.52 from Manchester last month.
Alessandro Pinzuti was second in 59.72.
All-Time Rankings
1 Adam Peaty, 56.88, 2019 World Championships
2. Ilya Shymanovich, 58.29, 2019 FFN Golden Tour
3. Nicolo Martinenghi, 58.37, 2021 Italian Swimming Championships
4. Arno Kamminga, 58.43, 2020 Antwerp Diamond Speedo Race
=5. James Wilby, 58.46, 2019 World Championships
=5. Cameron van der Burgh, 58.46, 2012 Olympics
7. Brenton Rickard, 58.58, 2009 World Championships
8. Yan Zibei, 58.63, 2019 World Championships
Martinenghi told the Italian Swimming Federation:
“Super satisfied. Of the performance in general and of the steps in particular.
“The result we have brought home is the result of the excellent work of all the staff that I thank and with whom I share the joy. Regarding the final time, something less can still be posted.
“I gave up on the 200 to do my best.”
Gregorio Paltrinieri Top Of the 2021 Rankings
Gregorio Paltrinieri: Photo Courtesy: SIPA USA
Paltrinieri, who holds the European record of 7:39.27 set en-route to gold at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, had already qualified for Tokyo prior to Riccione and will be one of the title contenders come the Games when the men’s event makes its Olympic debut.
Gabriele Detti was second in 7:46.58 with Marco De Tullio rounding out the trop three in 7:50.98 a day after the former led the pair home in the 400 free where they both clocked 3:44s.
Paltrinieri said: ” Many competitions await me at the Olympics, from 800 to 1500, up to the 10k; it will be a crescendo. Meanwhile, I focus on the pool races that will come first.”
Simona Quadarella – who has already booked her ticket for Tokyo – won the women’s race in 8:23.77, a time bettered only in 2021 by Olympic champion Katie Ledecky and her 8:13.64.
Martina Caramignoli was just 0.12 outside the cut in second in 8:26.02 with Giulia Salin next home in 8:31.35.
Federico Burdisso Flies Up The Rankings
Federico Burdisso: Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant
Federico Burdisso, who had already punched his ticket for the Games, was just 0.02 outside the Italian 200 fly record in 1:54.41.
The 2018 European bronze medallist was out in 24.82, reaching the halfway point in 53.19 (28.37) and the final turn in 1:23.02 (29.83) before coming home in 31.39.
Only Kristof Milak and his mammoth 1:51.40 – the second-fastest time in history behind the Hungarian’s world record – has gone quicker then Burdisso in 2021.
Burdisso set the Italian record of 1:54.39 en-route to fourth at the 2019 World Championships where he finished 0.24 off the podium as Milak set his world record of 1:50.73.
Alberto Razzetti was second in 1:56.10 – outside the Tokyo cut – with Giacomo Carini rounding out the podium in 1:57.42.
A final 50 of 33.88 propelled Ilario Cusinato to the women’s title in 2:09.75 after moving through the field following her third place at halfway.
Antonella Crispino was second 0.05secs back in 2:09.80 but neither woman threatened the 2:07.5 needed for Tokyo.
Federica Pellegrini: Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu / ISL
Federica Pellegrini won the 100 free in 53.86, splitting 26.01/27.85, almost a second ahead of Chiara Tarantino (54.90) and Silvia Di Pietro (54.97).
Italian record-holder Alessandro Miressi led from start to finish to win the men’s race in 48.34 but he was 0.14 outside the cut for Tokyo.
Thomas Ceccon – already on the plane for Japan – was second in 48.50 with Manuel Frigo third in 48.83.
Margherita Panziera – fresh from setting an Italian record of 2:05.56 in the 200 back on Wednesday – returned to win the 100m in 59.75.
Lorenzo Mora came from third at halfway with a 29.61 third-50 blast to win the men’s 200 back in 1:57.23 ahead of Matthew Restivo (1:57.69) with both men outside the standard for Tokyo.
Francesca Fangio prevailed in a stroke-for-stroke duel with Lisa Angiolini in the 200br by 2:25.10 to 2:25.16 although the time was outside the cut.
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