HOSSZU AND LE CLOS CONTINUE TO SHINE

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

HOSSZU AND LE CLOS CONTINUE TO SHINE

Anchored by a fast (20.46) Vladimir Morozov, the team of Russia got the first title of the evening, touching for gold (1:31.52) in the men’s 4x50m medley relay. Already the best of the heats, the European quartet was faster than USA, silver medallist in 1:31.97. The bronze went to Belarus in 1:32.49. This outcome is significantly different than the 2014 scenario, when this event was first contested at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m): in Doha (QAT), the quartet of Brazil (did not take part in Windsor) got the gold, followed by France (ninth of the heats here in Canada) and by USA.

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Another easy win for Katinka Hosszu (HUN), this time in the women’s 200m IM, where the Magyar swam almost alone for the gold in 2:02.90. The Hungarian great is the WR holder in this event, thanks to her victory in Doha 2014, in a time of 2:01.86. It was the sixth gold medal for Hosszu here in Windsor and once more an additional proof of her incredible versatility. The minor medals went for the two US representatives in the decisive race, Ella Eastin (silver in 2:05.02) and Madisyn Cox (bronze in 2:05.93).

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Chad Le Clos (RSA) added another success to his impressive roll of honour, earning gold in the men’s 50m fly in a time of 21.98. It was 0.03 slower than his Championships’ record of Doha 2014, but enough to overcome his main opponents: Tom Shields (USA), the fastest of the semis, had to content with silver in 22.40, while Australia’s David Morgan earned bronze in 22.47. This was the third world title for Le Clos here in Windsor, after his wins in the 100m fly and 200m fly; the South African star was also silver medallist in the 200m free. For Tom Shields it represented the completion of a “silver” series in the butterfly events.

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In the women’s 50m back, Etiene Medeiros, from Brazil, managed to retain her 2014 title, swimming for gold in Windsor in 25.82. In Doha, two years, the 25-year-old South American star had clocked 25.67, which is still the World Record in this event. Already the fastest of the semis, Medeiros controlled the race and was able to defeat superstar Katinka Hosszu (HUN, silver in 25.99) and US Alexandra De Loof (bronze in 26.14). Emily Seebohm (AUS), silver medallist two years ago, touched in fifth (26.16).

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Daiya Seto became the third swimmer in the history of this event to win three consecutive medals in the men’s 400m IM. The Japanese star got the gold in Windsor, after being the only finalist to conclude under the 4-minute mark, at exactly 3:59.24. In 2012, in Istanbul (TUR), he had triumphed in 3:59.15, while two years ago in Doha (QAT) he was crowned world champion in 3:56.33. It was the first gold for Seto in Canada, after the silver in the 100m IM, and the bronze in the 200m fly and 200 IM. Before Seto, only Matthew Dunn (AUS, 1995, 1997 and 1999) and Ryan Lochte (USA, 2006, 2008 and 2010) had made the treble at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m). Max Litchfield (GBR, 4:00.66) and David Verraszto (HUN, 4:01.56) completed the podium in Windsor.

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This time, the face wasn’t so surprised, and the time wasn’t so good either. In the final of the women’s 100m breaststroke, Alia Atkinson, from Jamaica, successfully defended her 2014 title, touching home in 1:03.03. Two years ago, in Doha, she had won in an equalled WR of 1:02.36 and could not hide her amazement when looking at the scoreboard. In Windsor, she was clearly the favourite and did not disappoint. Her opponents were however quite close, with Lilly King (USA) taking silver in 1:03.35 and her teammate Molly Hannis earning bronze in 1:03.89. It is now the third consecutive podium for Atkinson in this event, after a silver in 2012.

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And the Canadian anthem finally echoed in the WFCU venue, after the amazing win of the home nation in the women’s 4x200m free relay. Anchored by 16-year-old prodigy Penny Oleksiak, the Canadians touched for gold in 7:33.89, clearly beating their fiercest opponents (and neighbours), the team of USA. The North Americans got the silver in 7:38.65, while the bronze went to Russia in 7:39.93. It is the second medal ever for Canada in this event, after the victory in the distant year of 1995 in Rio de Janeiro (BRA).

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