Sarah Sjostrom Lets Loose With 25.25 In 50 Fly Before Winning 100 Free At Mediterranean Open
Sarah Sjostrom soared to the top of the 50 fly rankings with a shuddering 25.25 before wrapping up the meet with the 100 free title at the Mediterranean Open in Marseille.
Sjostrom’s fellow Swede Louise Hansson set the world-leading 25.92 at the Lausanne Swim Cup last month.
The world champion – who set the eye-opening world record of 24.43 back in July 2014 – lowered that mark three times: to 25.86 in heats and 25.59 in the semis before her 25.25 blast.
Melanie Henique was second in 25.88 and Beryl Gastaldello completing the podium in 26.01.
Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Sjostrom returned for the 100 free in which she had qualified second behind Marrit Steenbergen who was the only woman inside 54secs in the semis in 53.90, the fifth-fastest of her career so far.
However, the Swede kept the best for last as she split 26.26/27.29 for victory in 53.55.
Steenbergen (53.84) and Gastaldello (53.86) took silver and bronze.
Arno Kamminga left Marseille with two titles: the double Olympic silver medallist won the 50br in 27.29 on Saturday before winning the 200 on Sunday in 2:09.47.
Kenzo Simons was the only man inside 22secs in the 50 free, taking the win in 21.87 ahead of Szebasztian Szabo (22.00) and Maxime Grousset (22.19), the Fenchman having won the 100 fly on Saturday in 52.12.
Fellow Netherlands swimmer Tes Schouten won the women’s 100br in 1:06.65.
Apostolos Christou led from start to finish to win the 100 back in 53.72 ahead of Mewen Tomac (54.05).
Logan Fontaine saw off the attentions of a fast-finishing Joris Bouchaut to win the 800 free in 7:52.75 to 7:52.90 with Marc-Antoine Olivier next home in 7:54.70.
Anastasia Kirpichnikova claimed the 400 free in 4:10.26; Fantine Lesaffre won the 400IM in 4:39.82 and Analia Pigree took the 50 back in 27.65.
Hadrien Salvan claimed a tight men’s 200 free in 1:47.31.
Unbelievable,Sarah is always a fierce competitor,congrats to you!!!!!