This week’s ZUMO Performance of the Week goes to Caeleb Dressel for his 20.64 50 free in short course meters at the International Swimming League meet in Naples on Saturday. Dressel made his ISL debut over the weekend for the Cali Condors as he swam a total of 10 races in two days, winning the 100 free (45.77), 50 fly (22.34), and the 50 free skins. He also finished second in the 100 fly (49.36).
But Dressel’s win in the 50 free was perhaps the best swim of the meet because he was able to take down 2012 Olympic Champion Florent Manaudou of Energy Standard, who was second at 20.72. It was the first time those two swimmers met as Dressel has since taken the mantle as the fastest man in the world after Manaudou briefly held that title earlier in the decade.
Manaudou was on fire last week in Indianapolis for Energy Standard, swimming a 20.77 after being out of the sport for three years. The Frenchman came back to the sport of swimming earlier this year after initially retiring after the Rio Olympics when he was upset by Anthony Ervin in the 50 free final. Manaudou has shown he means business with his impressive 50 frees in the ISL, including winning the 50 free skins last week (three 50 frees in a span of ten minutes) over Ben Proud. Dressel won the 50 free skins this week over Manaudou, winning the final 50 by over two seconds.
Dressel was just shy of the American record in the 50 free as he was a 20.43 last year at the World Short Course Championships in Hangzhou, China. USA Swimming has indicated that they will be recognizing American records set in ISL competitions.
Congrats to Caeleb Dressel on winning the ZUMO Performance of the Week.
Previous ZUMO Performances of the Week
ZUMO Performance of the Week: Florent Manaudou Wins 50 Free Skins at ISL
ZUMO Performance of the Week: Daniel Krueger Blasts 41.9 100 Free at Texas Intrasquad
ZUMO Performance of the Week: Abbey Weitzeil Blasts 48.4 in 100 Free
Tristan