The Week That Was, Sponsored by Suitmate
The Week That Was featured both shocking and triumphant performances from the world’s best swimmers at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
The Week That Was #1: Caeleb Dressel Ends World Championship Stint Early
Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
American sprinter Caeleb Dressel scratched from the remainder of FINA World Championships after he won two gold medals to begin the meet (in the 400 freestyle relay and 50 butterfly), and after qualifying second for the 100 free semifinals.
The Week That Was #2: U.S. Ends 800 Free Relay Drought with Dominant Swim
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
The sting for Drew Kibler hasn’t abated in 11 months. Finishing off the podium in the 800 freestyle relay at the Tokyo Olympics – that’s just something a proud American program doesn’t do. To be part of that foursome was, for Kibler, a regrettable entry on his career ledger.
Thursday, Kibler, Kieran Smith and a pair of new faces took the first concrete step toward rectifying that.
The Week That Was #3: Bobby Finke Becomes First American Man To Win 800 Free World Crown; Wellbrock & Romanchuk On Podium
Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Bobby Finke added the world crown to his Olympic title with a massive final 50 of 25.93 to become the first American man to win the 800 free.
Did he conserve his energy for the last lap? Finke talks about his tactical approach.
The Week That Was #4: Lilly King Racing at 80%; Ray Looze: ‘What She Did (In 100 Breaststroke) Was Actually Pretty Darn Good’
Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
A tight battle in the women’s 100 breaststroke final at the World Championships saw Italy’s Benedetta Pilato emerge victorious by just five hundredths over Germany’s Anna Elendt, with Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte claiming bronze. Swimming in lane eight, two-time defending world champion and world-record holder Lilly King finished fourth in 1:06.07, just five hundredths off the podium but seven tenths shy of her season-best performance.
The Week That Was #5: Olympic Champions Kyle Chalmers and Mack Horton Lead New Look Dolphins For Budapest World Championship Assault
Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Kaylee McKeown added the world 200 back crown to her Olympic gold as she timed her sprint finish to perfection in Budapest.
McKeown, Phoebe Bacon and Rhyan White reflect on their swims as they claim gold, silver and bronze.