This week saw the conclusion of one of the last major international meets of the year in Indonesia, while some of the best junior swimmers from around the world converged in the South Pacific for the 2018 Junior Pan Pacs. Read about those meets and the biggest news of the week in the week that was!
The Week That Was #5 – Joseph Schooling Announces Plans To Swim To 2024 Ahead Of Asian Games
Photo Courtesy: Andy Ringgold / Aringo Photos
In the lead up to his opening swims at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia this week Joseph Schooling publicly announced his intention to swim through two more Olympic Games with the intention of retiring in 2024. The newly professional swimmer is coming off of four medals, including two gold medals, from this week’s Asian Games, after a disappointing two years following his gold medal in the 100 butterfly at the 2016 Rio Olympics. However the 23-year-old also acknowledged his less than stellar 2017 and 2018 was “much needed,” giving him perspective to get back on track with his focus and training heading into 2020.
The Week That Was #4 – Gold Medalist Dmitriy Balandin Contemplating Retirement
Photo Courtesy: SIPA USA
Olympic gold medalist Dmitriy Balandin is contemplating retiring from swimming following the conclusion of the Asian Games this week. Balandin, who is 23, was Kazakhstan’s first ever swimming medalist for his country. Talking to the Associated Press, Balandin said he was not sure of his future in the sport, saying “I don’t know what my life is going to be after the Asian Games. Maybe I finish swimming after Asian Games, but I don’t know now. Really, I am a little bit tired for swimming. I’ve won all I wanted in my swimming career.” Balandin has had several injuries during his career, and won all three breaststroke events at the 2014 Asian Games.
The Week That Was #3 – ISHOF Signs 30 Year Lease To Stay In Fort Lauderdale
Photo Courtesy: Andy Ross
This week the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) signed a 30-year lease to remain in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This is fresh off the heels of a $27 million renovation project for the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex. ISHOF has been in Fort Lauderdale since 1965, when it first open its world-renowned museum, and had briefly announced a decision to relocate to Santa Clara, CA in 2017. However, after a change in leadership and the hiring of Brent Rutemiller as the new CEO, ISHOF re-engaged with Fort Lauderdale to find money to renovate the ailing aquatics complex and remain in Fort Lauderdale.
The Week That Was #2 – United States Dominates 2018 Junior Pan Pacs
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
The best junior swimmers from around the world converged in Fiji this week for the 2018 Junior Pan Pacific Championships, and Team USA dominated the medal table with 54 total medals, including 27 golds. American Carson Foster took down Michael Phelps’ 15-16 NAG record in the 400 IM, posting a 4:14.73 in finals after breaking the record in prelims with a 4:14.92 (you can see the race video here). Foster would also win the 200 IM (1:59.86). Drew Kibler, Emily Weiss, Pheobe Bacon, Isabelle Stadden, and Gretchen Walsh all broke meet records over the course of the meet, while Canada’s Maggie MacNeil had a meet record in the 100 fly and Australian Lani Pallister also took down the meet record in the 1500 free to close the meet. You can see all recaps and results from the 2018 Junior Pan Pacific Championships here.
The Week That Was #1 – Japan Tops Medal Table at 2018 Asian Games
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Japan ended up on top of the medal table at the 2018 Asian Games, capturing 52 medals to finish two ahead of China. The biggest star of the meet had to be Rikako Ikee, who continued to cement her place as one of the most dominant female swimmers in the world right now. The 18-year-old won six events over the course of the meet (50/100 fly, 50/100 free, and the 4×100 free and 4×100 medley relays) and also added silvers in the 4×200 free and mixed 4×100 medley relays. Also impressive was Liu Xiang, who became the first woman to swim the 50 back under 27 seconds with her 26.98 world record in the event. Other notable performers from China included Sun Yang, who swept the 200, 400, 800, and 1500 freestyles, and backstroker Xu Jiayu, who won the 50, 100, and 200 backstroke. You can see all the recaps and results from the 2018 Asian Games here.
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