Vladimir Morozov of Russia and Cate Campbell of Australia are well placed to win the overall title after clinching gold medals on the first day of FINA Swimming World Cup at the Hamad Aquatic Centre yesterday.
Men’s leader Morozov, who came to the seventh and final meet with a huge 87-point lead, further strengthened his position for the overall title after winning the thrilling men’s 50m freestyle final. The Russian clocked 21.83 seconds – just fractions of a second ahead of Japanese Kosuke Matsui (22.02) and Maxim Lobanovskij of Hungary (22.04).
“It feels very good. This race is getting closer and closer each day. I am happy to be a winner in this tight race. I have been racing a lot since last three months and I feel a bit tired,” said Morozov.
Women’s leader Campbell, meanwhile, was the fastest (24.11 seconds) in the 50m freestyle as she edged Michelle Coleman of Sweden (24.50). Each had won the race three times earlier this season. Campbell’s younger sister, Bronte, was placed third. With the victory, Campbell retained her overall points lead. “It definitely wasn’t an easy win. I am happy to win the race. Michelle pushed me hard. It’s been an amazing competition with her. We both get the best out of each other,” said the Australian.
Campbell, who was leading Katinka Hosszu by 24 points in the overall rankings after Kazan meet, is still facing a tough competition from the Hungarian, who won the 200m butterfly title yesterday.
In fact, Hungary stacked the field placing 1-2-5-8, led by Hosszu and runner-up Zsuzsanna Jakobos who finished in 2:08.60 and 2:08.95, respectively. Meg Bailey of Australia came third. Hosszu said: “I always feel like I need more training after a race, specifically more front speed.”
In the men’s 100m butterfly, South Africa’s Chad le Clos won in 51.70, delighting Qatari fans. “It’s really a lucky place for me,” he said, surrounded by local autograph seekers. “Doha’s my second home. I’ve been training here for 10 years.”
For this race, though, le Clos had come from hard training in Turkey. As a result, he said: “I was a little nervous for tonight. On Monday, I did 15.7 kilometres quality work. The first time I’ve done that in a long time.”
Although it’s the end of the World Cup season, he’s already eyeing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, saying he lost 2.5 kilograms since the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, and his groin injury had fully healed. He shared the podium with Jakub Majerski of Poland, the runner-up in 52.11, and Michael Andrew of the US, who placed third in 52.38.
Meanwhile Danas Rapsys of Lithuania also grabbed the spotlight by completing a clean sweep of gold medals in men’s 400 freestyle with his seventh successive win. Rapsys was clinical as he took victory in 3:47.87 with Mykhailo Romanchuk of Ukraine second, followed by Czech Republic’s Jan Micka.
“My strategy was to be slow in first 200m and the rest of race became easy. The plan was to start slow and get faster. I am happy to win all the seven titles in this race…. ,” said Rapsys.
Japan’s Yasuhiro Koseki stunned cluster leader Anton Chupkov of Russian in the 100m breaststroke after winning the gold in 59.11. Chupkov finished third with a time of 59.83 behind Arno Kamminga of the Netherlands 59.25. Dutchwoman Kira Toussaint was the winner in women’s 50m backstroke with a time of 27.80, finishing ahead of Kaylee Mckeown (AUS) 27.92 and Emily Seebohm (AUS) 28.08.
Australia’s Bradley Woodward clinched his maiden World Cup title with a victory in men’s 200m backstroke. Marlene Kahler (AUT) dominated the women’s 400m freestyle, winning gold in 4:10.51. Hungary got their second gold medal of the day when Eszter Bekesi won the women’s 200m breaststroke.
Action will continue resume today with another 12 finals, including two more in which Hosszu and Morozov have a chance to remain undefeated: the women’s 400 IM and the men’s 50m backstroke.
Women’s RESULTS
400m Freestyle: 1. Marlene Kahler (AUT) 4:10.51 secs; 2. Mikkayla Sheridan (AUS) 4:11.63; 3. Katja Fain (SLO) 4:12.38
50m Backstroke: 1. Kira Toussaint (NED) 27.80; 2. Kaylee Mckeown (AUS) 27.92; 3 Emily Seebohm (AUS) 28.08
200m Butterfly: 1. Katinka Hosszu (HUN) 2:08.60; 2. Zsuzsanna Jakabos (HUN) 2:08.95; 3. Meg Bailey (AUS) 2:09.86
200m Breaststroke: 1. Eszter Bekesi (HUN) 2:28.24; 2. Vitalina Simonova (RUS) 2:29.98; .3 Weronika Hallmann (POL) 2:31.17
50m Freestyle: 1. Cate Campbell (AUS) 24.11; 2. Michelle Coleman (SWE) 24.50; 3. Bronte Campbell (AUS) 24.74
Men’s results
400m Freestyle: 1. Danas Rapsys (LTU) 3:47.87; 2. Mykhailo Romanchuk (UKR) 3:48.61; 3. Jan Micka (CZE) 3:50.20
200m Backstroke: 1. Bradley Woodward (AUS) 1:58.42; 2. Keita Sunama (JPN) 1:58.83; 3. Mikita Tsmyh (BLR) 2:00.92
100m Butterfly: 1. Chad Le Clos (RSA) 51.70; 2. Jakub Majerski (POL) 52.11; 3. Michael Andrew (USA) 52.38
100m Breaststroke: 1. Yasuhiro Koseki (JPN) 59.11; 2. Arno Kamminga (NED) 59.25; 3. Anton Chupkov (RUS) 59.83
50m Freestyle: 1. Vladimir Morozov (RUS) 21.83; 2.Kosuke Matsui (JPN) 22.02; 3. Maxim Lobanovskij (HUN) 22.04
Vladimir Morozov of Russia won the men’s 50 freestyle on the opening night of the FINA Swimming World Cup at the Hamad Aquatic Centre yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil
