Sette Colli, Day 3: Sarah Sjöström Rattles 50 Free WR In 23.75
Sarah Sjöström showcased the quality and consistency that is her hallmark with a 23.75 blast in the 50 free on the third and final day of the Sette Colli in Rome.
It was the seventh swiftest of Sjöström’s career, topped by the 23.61 world record she set in the semis at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka.
It was also the second-fastest in the world this year, eclipsed only by the Swede’s 23.69 at Doha worlds.
Sarah Sjöström: Photo Courtesy: Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Sjöström wrapped up a successful Sette Colli meet with her third Championship record in as many races, taking 0.17 from Pernille Blume’s 27.92 that had stood since 2018.
That followed her 24.73 50 fly and 52.57 in the 100 free.
Sjöström will compete in the 50 at Paris 2024, the one-length dash her sole individual event three years after silver in Tokyo.
She led a Swedish 1-2 in the Eternal City ahead of Michelle Coleman (24.59) and Italian teenager Sara Curtis (24.64).
Netherlands Dominate Breaststroke
Elsewhere, 2024 world champion Tes Schouten won the 200m breaststroke in 2:21.48 with Caspar Corbeau heading Arno Kamminga for a Netherlands 1-2 by 2:09.28 to 2:10.59 in the men’s race.
Daiya Seto completed the IM double with a 1:57.66 victory in the 200 with Great Britain’s Abbie Wood winning the women’s race in 2:09.26.
Lukas Martens overhauled James Guy on the final 50 to win the 200 free in 1:45.79 to 1:46.21 with Duncan Scott next home in 1:46.63.
Lukas Martens: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Simona Quadarella completed the 400/800/1500 treble with victory over eight lengths in 4:06.43 and Keanna Macinnes led home world champion Laura Stephens in 2:08.88 to 2:09.80 for a Great Britain 1-2 in the 200 fly.
There was a British 1-2 in the women’s 200 back with Honey Osrin going 2:09.09 to Katie Shanahan’s 2:09.35 with Margherita Panziera third in 2:10.39.
Marco Restivo won the men’s race in 1:57.42 ahead of Olympic bronze medallist Luke Greenbank (1:58.34) while Thomas Ceccon won the 50 fly in 23.01 with Nyls Korstanje clocking 23.03.
The Sette Colli meet wrapped up with the men’s 1500 free where Florian Wellbrock won the title in 14:46.37 ahead of Luca de Tullio (14:48.77) and 2024 world champion Daniel Wiffen (14:53.39).
Sjöström is surely a “lock” for 50m Freestyle Gold at Paris. Just hoping she can break her own WR there too! Minor medals could be anybody!
These times are crazy fast. . Paris should be exciting. But ALL athletes in all sports, worldwide in the female(girls,women)category SHOULD be DNA tested (blindly) to verify XX chromosomes. NO XXY or XY, born a boy but announced “it’s a girl”, made in a lab super babies allowed. Test all present,future AND past athletes (record holders) too. Doping isn’t the only way to cheat.
Agreed!
Ridiculous that it even has to be discussed. Your chromosomes are immutable!