As the
sun began its descent on the final afternoon at the Foro Italico, the
atmosphere was electric with anticipation. The crowd, eager to witness their
favorite athletes in action, filled the stands with cheers and applause. It was
a day packed with thrilling contests, each promising to be a showcase of skill,
determination, and athletic prowess. Here is a recap of today's exhilarating
matches:
Women’s
50 Freestyle:
Sarah
Sjostrom reigns supreme in speed. She swims just six hundredths of a second
slower than her world title time in February, setting a new championship
record. The top seven times of the season are all hers. Her compatriot Coleman
takes silver in 25.59, while Italian record-holder Sara Curtis (born 2006)
finishes third in 24.64.
Men’s 200
Backstroke:
Matteo
Restivo lets Velo and Lamberti take the lead in the first 50 meters before
taking control of the race and holding on until the end, fending off attacks
from world champion Greenbank (1:58.34) and Hungarian Kovacs (1:58.50). The
European bronze medalist from Glasgow 2018 secures gold with a time of 1:57.42.
Women’s
200 Backstroke:
Britain’s
Honey Orsin wins in 2:09.09, surpassing her more decorated teammate Katie
Shanahan in the final 50 meters. The European silver medalist from Rome 2022
takes second in 2:09.35. Italy’s Margherita Panziera, a three-time European
champion in this event, finishes third in 2:10.39.
Men’s 50
Butterfly:
World
champion from Fukuoka 2023, Thomas Ceccon, edges out the 100 butterfly winner
from the 60th Settecolli Trophy, IP Korstanje, by two hundredths of a second.
The versatile Italian talent, world record holder in the 100 backstroke, clocks
in at 23.01. The Dutchman swims 23.03 for silver, with Lorenzo Gargani taking
bronze in 23.36.
Women’s
200 Butterfly:
In a
thrilling comeback race, Keanna Macinnes wins in 2:08.88, overtaking world
champion and compatriot Laura Stephens, who finishes in 2:09.80 for silver.
Japan’s Mitsui Airi, twenty years old, claims bronze in 2:10.28.
Men’s 200
Breaststroke:
An
exciting battle between national teammates unfolds in this breaststroke event.
Tokyo 2021 silver medalist Kamminga and Doha world championships silver
medalist Corbeau race neck and neck until the 150-meter mark, where Corbeau
surges ahead. Corbeau finishes in 2:09.28, followed by Kamminga in 2:10.59.
Thirty-five-year-old Giorgetti takes bronze with a time of 2:11.37.
Women’s
200 Breaststroke:
World
champion Tes Schouten dominates from the first meter, winning in 2:21.48.
Italian record holder Fangio delivers a strong performance, finishing second in
2:23.91. Martina Carraro secures bronze, matching her earlier half-distance
result, with a time of 2:24.92.
Men’s 200
Freestyle:
Lukas
Maertens proves his excellent form by claiming gold in this distance following
his 800 victory yesterday. He wins with a strong finish in 1:45.79. British
swimmer Guy, who led for three-quarters of the race, relinquishes the lead near
the end, finishing in 1:46.63. Tokyo 2021 silver medalist Duncan Scott takes
bronze with a time of 1:46.63.
Women’s
400 Freestyle:
Simona
Quadarella completes a hat-trick, winning the 400 freestyle. After letting her
competitors lead in the early part of the race, she takes the lead at 250
meters and never looks back, finishing in 4:06.43, which ranks as the 22nd best
performance worldwide this season. The rest of the podium is Brazilian:
Gabrielle Roncatto takes silver in 4:07.21 after setting a personal best in the
800 yesterday, and her compatriot De Oliveira Da Silva Costa swims 4:07.21 for
bronze.
Men’s 200
Individual Medley:
Daiya
Seto doubles up, taking the 200 IM after his 400 IM win yesterday, leading from
the first stroke to finish in 1:57.66. World bronze medalist Alberto Razzetti
claims silver in 1:58.99, overtaking compatriot Matteazzi, who finishes in
1:59.56.
Women’s
200 Individual Medley:
European
short-course champion Abbie Wood dominates from the start, winning in 2:09.26.
Sara Franceschi yields in the final stretch to Olympic champion Ohashi, who
finishes in 2:11.25 against the Italian's 2:11.75.
Men’s
1500 Freestyle:
Wiffen
attempts to break away in the early meters, but by 400 meters, he is already
level with Olympic bronze medalist Wellbrock, who initially seems faster. The
Irish champion holds on, creating a head-to-head race with a slight edge for
the German. Italian De Tullio chases behind, swimming faster than the leading
pair halfway through and steadily gaining. With two-thirds of the race
complete, Wiffen takes the lead, only 0.8 seconds ahead, with the Italian close
behind. Wiffen falters as the Italian surges, but the German remains in front.
The final two laps are intense, solidifying the positions established over the
last 300 meters. Wellbrock wins in 14:46.37, Luca De Tullio sets a personal
best with 14:48.77, and world champion Wiffen finishes third in 14.53.39.
Here are
the highlights from the 2024 Sette Colli Trophy, a premier event in the
international swimming calendar. The esteemed pool at the Foro Italico in Rome
served as a magnificent setting for this remarkable tournament, attracting
elite athletes from around the world.
We
witnessed thrilling contests that foreshadow the excitement of the upcoming
Paris Olympics. Foreign athletes inspired our Italians, motivating them to
compete for the Olympic’s standard time. For many, it was their final chance to
achieve qualifying times and secure spots on their national teams.
As
always, the Sette Colli Trophy delivered a world-class swimming spectacle in
what is unanimously regarded as the most beautiful pool in the world.
We look
forward to seeing you again for the 2025 edition.
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