By Daniela Kapser on SwimSwam

FINA World Championships, Gwangju, Südkorea

• Beckenschwimmen: 21. bis 28. Juli 2019
• Freiwasser: 13. bis 19. Juli 2019
• FINA Veranstaltungsseite
• ZDF Live Stream
• FINA TV live stream
• Live Ergebnisse (Omega Timing)
• Links und Livestream
• ERGEBNISSE OPEN WATER (OMEGA TIMING)

Dieser Beitrag wurde teilweise aus dem Bericht von Reid Carlson aus dem Englischen übersetzt.

Über die 10 km der Frauen konnten sich die ersten 10 Platzierten das Olympiaticket für Tokio 2020 sichern. Dabei sind zwei deutsche Schwimmerinnen: Finnia Wunram holte sich den achten, Leonie Beck den neunten Platz im hochklassigen Starterfeld.

Es siegte nach 1:54:47,2 Stunden die Chinesin Xin Xin vor Haley Anderson (USA) und Rachele Bruni (Italien). Xin Xin ist die erste chinesische Weltmeisterin bei den Frauen im 10 km Rennen.

Die FINA Weltmeisterschaften in Gwangju sind einer von zwei Qualifikationswettbewerben, ein Wettkampf wird noch in Fukuoka, Japan, stattfinden. Es können sich aber nur zwei Starterinnen pro Nation für Olympia qualifizieren, Deutschland hat nun beide Startplätze belegt.

Das ZDF sendet einen Livestream (hier), alle Entscheidungen im Freiwasserschwimmen sind zeitnah in Zusammenfassungen in der ZDFmediathek zu sehen. Alle sportlichen Entscheidungen in Gwangju, die aufgrund der Zeitverschiebung zu noch nachtschlafender Zeit in Deutschland stattfinden, können die Nutzer der ZDFsport.de morgens in Video-Übersichten finden.

Die weiteren Wettbewerbe und deutschen Teilnehmer im Freiwasser:

Dienstag, 16. Juli (01:00 bis 03:15, 10 km Männer): Florian Wellbrock, Rob Muffels
Mittwoch, 17. Juli (01:00 bis 02:15, 5 km Frauen): Leonie Beck, Finnia Wunram
Donnerstag, 18. Juli (01:00 bis 02:15, 5 km Team Mixed Wettbewerb: Leonie Beck, Sarah Köhler
Freitag, 19. Juli (01:00 bis 07:30, 25 km Männer und Frauen): Lea Boy, Sarah Köhler, Finnia Wunram, Andreas Waschburger, Sören Meißner

Ergebnis 10 km Open Water und die Qualifikanten für Olympia 2020

Diese Nationen haben bereits die zwei möglichen Startplätze für Tokio belegt.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: FINA Weltmeisterschaften Open Water: Beck und Wunram lösen Olympia Ticket

By Daniela Kapser on SwimSwam

Bereits in Gwangju vor Ort ist der neue DSV Press Manager Roman Mölling. Vom 12. bis 28. Juli steht er den Medienvertretern bei den Schwimmweltmeisterschaften als Ansprechpartner zur Verfügung. Mölling ist seit dem 1. Juli der neue Ansprechpartner zu allen sportlichen und verbandspolitischen Belangen des DSV (Deutscher Schwimmverband).

Roman Mölling (54) war über 25 Jahre als Pressesprecher und Leiter von Unternehmenskommunikation tätig. 2013 machte er sich mit seiner Firma MöllingMedia selbstständig und berät seither vorzugsweise Verbände zu den Themen Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit sowie Strategie- und Organisationsentwicklung.

Wohnhaft in Hildesheim, ist Mölling dem Schwimmsport seit Jahrzehnten verbunden. In seiner Jugend war er aktiver Schwimmer, später Masterschwimmer, Inhaber der B-Trainer-Lizenz Schwimmen sowie Wasserball- und Synchronschwimmtrainer. Als ausgebildeter Diplomsportlehrer an der Deutschen Sporthochschule Köln (DSHS) schrieb er unter anderem seine Diplomarbeit über die Entwicklung des Master-Schwimmsports in Deutschland. Das DSV-Verbandswesen begleitete er auf vielen Ebenen in ehrenamtlichen Funktionen.

Seit dem 01. Juli ist Roman Mölling als Press Manager Teil der DSV Agentur Rough Water& GmbH (RW&), welche die Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit des DSVübergeordnet koordiniert. Alle Anfragen für den Bereich PR werden weiterhin zentral von RW& gesteuert.

„Wir sind der festen Überzeugung mit Herrn Mölling eine optimale Besetzung als DSV Press Manager im Bereich Kommunikation gefunden zu haben. Er wird seine ganzen Erfahrungen gewinnbringend für den Verband einbringen. Wir freuen uns auf die gemeinsamen Aufgaben.“, kommentiert Thomas Kurschilgen, Direktor Leistungssport im DSV.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Roman Mölling ist neuer DSV Press Manager

By Spencer Penland on SwimSwam

2019 ST TXLA SPEEDO SOUTHERN SECTIONALS

• July 11-14th
• Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, Austin, TX
• Hosted by Longhorn Aquatics
• Long Course Meters
• Psych Sheet
• Live Results

The 3rd day of racing in Austin featured the 100 back, 400 free, and 100 fly. 16-year-old Lillie Nordmann, who has commited to swim for Stanford in 2020, shattered her personal best en route to winning the women’s 100 fly. Nordmann finished in 58.56, winning the race by nearly a second, and blowing past her previous best of 59.19. Her time now ranks her 3rd all-time nationally in the women’s 15-16 100 fly, behind only the legendary Mary Meagher (57.93) and Cassidy Bayer (58.11). Sarah Gibson was 58.86 in prelims, but came in 2nd in finals with a 59.37. Madisyn Cox dropped massively to take 3rd with a 59.59. Cox was entered with a 1:04.36, but according to the SWIMS database, her personal best was 1:06.78.

Drew Kibler continued to post impressive times on day 3. After narrowly missing his best time in the 100 free on day 1, and dropping a huge 1:47.1 200 free on day 2, Kibler won the men’s 400 free with a 3:52.75. The time shattered Kibler’s previous best of 3:54.49, which he swam in 2017. In 2018, Kibler’s fastest time was 3:54.87. He’ll be racing the 50 on day 4, where he has a personal best of 22.80 from back in 2016.

13-year-old Jillian Cox won the women’s 400 free with a 4:16.51. Her time came in just off her personal best of 4:16.27, which she swam at the end of June. At just 13, she currently sits 34th all-time in the girls 13-14 400 free. Julia Cook won the women’s 100 back, clocking a new season best of 1:02.20. Cook’s best time sits at 1:01.34. William Grant narrowly missed his lifetime best while winning the men’s 100 back. Grant posted a 55.o9, slightly off his best of 55.02.

Coby Carrozza won the men’s 100 fly, hitting the wall in 53.93. Carrozza left his previous personal best in the dust with that swim, taking nearly a full second off. His previous best had been 54.83 from just a few weeks ago.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 16-Year-Old Lillie Nordmann Posts 58.5 100 Fly on Day 3 of Austin Sectionals

By Adrian Mancebo on SwimSwam

El nadador olímpico italiano Filippo Magnini, ya retirado, dio buen uso a su talento el pasado domingo, rescatando a un nadador de aguas abiertas en una playa de Cerdeña, una isla italiana.

Andrea Benedetto, de 45 años, estaba flotando en un unicornio inflable con su pareja, dos días después de haberse casado con él, cuando cayó al agua, que estaba más fría de lo esperado. Benedetto no podía mover sus extremidades debido a una condición médica, según informa la BBC. Según el informe, el nuevo marido de Benedetto saltó al agua y trató de ayudarlo, pero la colchoneta se alejó flotando, dejando a ambos luchando por mantenerse a flote. Los amigos de la pareja gritaron para pedir ayuda en la playa.

Magnini, que estaba en la playa con su novia Giorgia Palmas, estaba más cerca que los salvavidas, por lo que se lanzó a nadar para salvar a Benedetto y mantuvo su cabeza fuera del agua hasta que llegaron los salvavidas para completar el salvamento.

“Acabo de hacer lo que tenía que hacer“, dijo Magnini al diario italiano Corriere dello Sport. “El bañista estaba en peligro: estaba bastante asustado, estaba realmente atascado y había tragado agua de mar… Cuando le alcancé, ni siquiera podía hablar, y no fue fácil llevarle a la colchoneta, así que le pusimos en otra colchoneta que unos bañistas tenían cerca.”

Magnini, de 37 años, se convirtió en medallista de bronce olímpico en 2004 con el relevo italiano de 4×200 libre y fue un nombre importante en la escena internacional de la natación entre 2003 y 2016. Aunque está oficialmente retirado, actualmente cumple una sanción de cuatro años por “uso o intento de uso de sustancias dopantes”, así como por “apuesta y administración o intento de administración de una sustancia prohibida”.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: El olímpico Filippo Magnini le salvó la vida a una bañista que se ahogaba

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

• All sports: Friday, July 12 – Sunday, July 28, 2019
• Pool swimming: Sunday, July 21 – Sunday, July 28, 2019
• The Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center, Gwangju, Korea
• Meet site
• FinaTV Live Stream
• Live results

Men’s 4×100 Free Relay

• World Record: 3:08.24, USA (Phelps/Weber-Gale/Jones/Lezak), 2008
• World Junior Record: 3:16.96, Australia (Blake/Leong/Jones/Horton), 2013
• World Championships Record: 3:09.21, USA (Phelps/Lochte/Grevers/Adrian), 2009
• Defending 2017 World Champion: 3:10.06, USA (Dressel/Haas/Pieroni/Adrian)

Not too long ago, the French were on a tear in this event, winning titles at the 2012 Olympics, 2013 Worlds and 2015 Worlds. But they faded to silver by six tenths at the 2016 Olympics, and didn’t contest the event at 2017 Worlds. 2018 could have offered a return to international medals, but France fell to an embarrassing 9th-place prelims finish at Euros and missed the final.

Since then, it’s been the Americans on a run of their own – though it ended in similarly ignominious fashion. The U.S. won the 2016 Olympics and 2017 Worlds, but last summer at Pan Pacs took a disqualification for a mistake high-level teams rarely make: swimming out of order. The U.S. touched first in a 3:11.67 that would have been the world’s #1 time, but the swimmers swam in a different order than what the coaching staff entered, and the team was disqualified.

This year’s worlds will offer both nations chances at redemption, but an extremely deep field of relays won’t make it easy.

Let’s start with the Americans, who have got to be the odds-on favorites. Caeleb Dressel was a world-beater at 2017 Worlds, routinely going 47-lows in the 100 free. He struggled last summer after crashing his motorcycle (why, else?), but was still 48-low, and already went 47.8 this year. He should be a 47-second leadoff, but it’s really up to your level of optimism whether he’ll be 47-high, -mid or -low (or 46-high, if you’re feeling especially patriotic after the Fourth of July). The rest of the relay has lots of options and little clarity. Blake Pieroni was the fastest American last summer at 48.0, and it’d be hard to justify leaving him off this relay. Nathan Adrian is a reliable vet with a 47.2 split to his name from 2017 Worlds, but he missed some training this year in treatment for cancer. Zach Apple split 47.5 and went 47.7 on a leadoff leg just last week at World University Games. Those seem like the most likely four, but the relay could just as easily include Townley Haas (split 47.4 on the winning relay at 2017 Worlds) or the rising Michael Chadwick.

Maybe the foremost threat is Brazil, a proud sprinting nation that inherited Pan Pacs gold last summer when the U.S. took its DQ. Since September of 2017, Brazil has more 47-second swimmers on its relay than any other nation. They’ve also got two men who have split 46 in previous years. Marcelo Chierighini has been 47.6 this year and split 46.8 at 2017 Worlds. Pedro Spajari split 46.9 at Pan Pacs last summer. Breno Correia is just 20 and rising fast enough to be a 47-contender (he’s been 48.1 individually) and Gabriel Santos has gone 47.9 from a flat start.

The other team that could quite possibly see 47s across the board is Russia, last year’s European champs. Stocked with sprint firepower, Russia is dual-wielding Vlads in Vladislav Grinev (second in the world at 47.43 this year) and Vladimir Morozov (47.4 at Euros last year from a flying start). Yet their fastest split last year wasn’t from either of them: backstroker Kliment Kolesnikov was 47.3 on the anchor leg to hold off Italy. Kolesnikov has dealt with shoulder issues this year and dropped the 200 back from his Worlds lineup – if he’s struggling with health, he may not be up for this relay in what should already be a busy schedule for the 19-year-old (50 back, 100 back, men’s medley relay, mixed medley relay). Danila Izotov and Evgeny Rylov have both been 48.3 individually, so if Kolesnikov can’t go, Russia doesn’t completely crater, but their path to gold gets a lot tougher.

From there, we can pretty safely categorize the rest of the contenders into a few groups: high-ceiling teams that haven’t yet put it all together and teams that swam out of their minds at one of three meets over the past few seasons:

High-Ceiling Teams

Australia should be in contention for gold… but it appears they left one of the best legs home. Kyle Chalmers might be the best swimmer out there on this relay, leading the world at 47.3 this year. Jack Cartwright split 47.5 at 2017 Worlds and has been 48.0 individually, but he’s not on the Australian Worlds roster, unless he’s been added late as a relay-only swimmer. That leaves a handful of likely 48-low splits, including Cameron McEvoy, who was at one point one of the best 100 freestylers in the world.

Italy looks like a powerhouse – they were second at Euros last year and added international free agent Santo Condorelli to their roster. Alessandro Miressi was the 100 free European champ and split 46.9 last summer. The rest of the crew have been 48-mid individually, and good exchanges and splits from all three could put together something like 48-47-47-46, assuming Miressi anchors again.

Then there’s France, looking to rebound after last years disappointment. The reason they missed the final at Euros last year was a 50.0 leadoff from Clement Mignon and a 49.9 leg from Jordan Pothain. Mignon has already been 48.4 this year, and it’s unlikely he’ll be as off as last year’s relay. Jeremy Stravius is a solid 48-second leadoff leg, and Mehdy Metella is a rising star with a 47.4 split on a mixed relay last summer.

The Dutch team had some intriguing 2017 splits, and their depth has come around recently. Kyle Stolk had a 47.8 split on a mixed relay at 2017 Worlds, though he was just 48.6 at 2018 Euros. Jesse Puts was 48.8 in 2017. Meanwhile Stan Pojnenburg and Nyls Korstanje have risen since then, with at 48.1 split and a 48.8 leadoff, respectively. If all four put things together, this relay could have upset potential.

Teams That Swam Lights Out At…

2017 World Championships

Hungary took bronze at 2017 Worlds with a young lineup that looked like a powerhouse for years to come. Richard Bohus was 47.2 on that anchor leg, but only 48.6 at Euros last summer, with Hungary missing the medals in fourth. Nandor Nemeth is a potential 47-second leadoff with a 47.1 split last summer, and Dominik Kozma has been 48.8 individually and 48.2 on a relay recently, though he was 48.1 leading off this relay at 2017 Worlds. They’ll need Bohus and Kozma back at 2017 levels to contend for another medal.

2018 European Championships

Poland bested Hungary for bronze at Euros last summer, getting a big 48.0 split from Jakub Kraska. (For reference, he’s only been 49.1 individually). Jan Switkowski led off in 48.68, just his second time ever under 49, per SwimRankings.net’s database. Meanwhile Kacper Majchrzak has been 48.3 individually after splitting 48.4 last year, and this relay seems to be heating up at the right time.

Greece, meanwhile, well outperformed its individual times with its 2017 splits. Kristian Gkolomeev split 47.5 – he was only 49.1 individually that year. That was a trend for the Greeks: Apostolos Christou split 48.7 despite being only 49.7 individually and Odysseus Meladinis split 49.1 despite a 49.7 individual time. Maybe the Greeks have figured something out on relay starts that no one else is doing, or maybe their team just gets extra charged up for the relay events. Either way, add a career-best 49.13 leadoff from Andreas Vazaios and this team was on fire in 2018.

2018 Asian Games

Japan and China put up a great Asian Games race, with both teams well outpacing their best times from both 2017 Worlds and the 2016 Olympics. Japan could very easily fit into that high-ceiling category. They’ve got three legs who have already been 47 from a relay start and one of them from a flat start, too. Katsumi Nakamura can lead off in 47-high. Katsuhiro Matsumoto split a blazing 47.6 at Asian Games, and Juran Mizohata was 48.1 (he’s only 49-low individually, so that was a great swim). While Shinri Shioura led off that relay, he also split 47.9 anchoring the medley in another great Asian Games race with China. That quartet could be 3:11, adding up Nakamura’s best flat start with the best splits from the other three.

China is hamstrung a little with former world champ Ning Zetao retiring. But Yu Hexin split 47.3 holding off Shioura on the medley relay, and He Junyi has been 48.1 individually.

Tokyo 2020 Qualification Begins

All Olympic relays start their qualification here: the top 10 nations in each relay qualify a relay in that event for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. That’s especially important in this event, with a big, loaded field all shooting for top 10 spots – it’ll make prelims almost as exciting as the final.

Count ’em up above: we mentioned 12 teams above, all with chances to make the top 8. There are a few more that could load up their team in prelims to try to catch one of the top teams sleeping and steal their spot in the top 10:

• Canada was 6th at Worlds in 2017, and most of that relay has gotten faster. Markus Thormeyer is already 48.7 individually, and Yuri Kisil split 47.8 at the Commonwealth Games.
• Great Britain has a star in Duncan Scott (47.8 individually, 47.3 split at Euros), but they’ll need a big split from James Guy (48.3 last year) to make up for two 49-high individuals on the other two legs. They also have Ben Proud (who split 47.9 last year) to swap in. But, the question for this team, which has serious top-end potential, but lacks depth to give too many breaks in prelims, is who do they want to have burn through 2 relay swims on day 1 of the meet? For Proud, this would be 4 swims in one day (along with prelims and semis of the 50 fly), though it would leave him plenty of time to recover before the crucial 50 free begins on day 6. They didn’t swim this relay at the 2017 World Championships.
• Serbia nearly had straight-48s at Euros last summer. Velimir Stjepanovic led off in 49.03 and the others were all 48.6 or 48.7. Stjepanovic has also been 48.7 individually as recently as 2017.
• Germany had a nice relay at Euros as well, beating Serbia by .04. Damian Wierling led off in 48.6 and Marius Kusch split 48.5, but he’s already been 48.7 individually this year.

Top 8 Picks

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2019 World Champs Previews: Redemption, Tokyo Bids On Line In Men’s 4×100 Free

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

The FINA doping panel hearing for Brazilian sprinter Gabriel Santos will be held on July 19th at 2PM in Gwangju, South Korea. Santos was flagged in June for a positive test for the banned substance Clobestol. That hearing, which comes 2 days before the start of the pool swimming competition, will determine, among other things, whether or not Santos will be eligible to race at the World Championships.

Without Santos, then Andre Calvelo will likely take his spot on the finals men’s 400 free relay. Brazil were the silver medalists in that race in 2017, and Calvelo was .21 seconds slower (48.74 vs. 48.53) at the Maria Lenk Trophy.

Santos swam on Brazil’s 400 free relay at the 2016 Olympic Games, the 2017 World Championships, and the 2018 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. That includes winning gold at Pan Pacs and silver at the World Championships.

He also swam in the 100 free individually for Brazil at the World Championships in 2017, placing 14th.

He was selected as part of the 2019 Brazilian roster to compete at both the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru and the World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea. The swimming portion of the World Championships begin on July 21st, and the swimming portion of the Pan American Games starts on August 6th.

Santos, who hails from São Paulo, was administered an out-of-competition doping test on May 20th in his home city, which came back testing positive for Clostebol. The substance is considered a weak anabolic androgenic steroid on its own, but was used as one ingredient of oral turinabol, a staple of the East German state-sponsored doping program back in the 1970s and 1980s. It’s the same substance that another Brazilian sprinter, Henrique Rodrigues, tested positive for in 2017.

Rodrigues was ultimately suspended for 1 year retroactive to the date of the test.

On the same day that the positive test was revealed, Santos was announced as a member of the DC Trident in the International Swimming League (ISL). Shortly thereafter, he was suspended by the league, pending the outcome of the hearing. For anything other than full dismissal, Santos would face a total ban from the ISL, which has enacted a zero-tolerance policy for doping violations. While the league has not publicly described the details of that policy, thus far they have applied it to even violations that were later ruled to be from tainted supplements or accidental ingestion.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Gabriel Santos Doping Hearing Date Set for July 19th

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

• All sports: Friday, July 12 – Sunday, July 28, 2019
• Pool swimming: Sunday, July 21 – Sunday, July 28, 2019
• The Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center, Gwangju, Korea
• Meet site
• FinaTV Live Stream
• Live results

WOMEN’S 800 FREESTYLE

• World Record: 8:04.79, Katie Ledecky(USA), 2016
• World Championship Record: 8:07.39, Katie Ledecky (USA), 2015
• World Junior Record: 8:11.00, Katie Ledecky (USA), 2014
• Defending World Champion: Katie Ledecky (USA), 21.15

While the 200 free and 400 free are feeling less like they belong solely to Katie Ledecky (especially the former), the American still has a strong advantage over the world in the 800. She’s been 8:10.70 to lead the world rankings, and returns after claiming her third-straight World title in the event in 2017.

FINA Champions Swim Series – Budapest – photo by Rafael Domeyko

While it’s teenagers like Taylor Ruck and Ariarne Titmus who have risen to Ledecky’s level in shorter events, China’s Li Bingjie and Wang Jianjiahehave been the most threatening in the longer ones. Li touched less than two seconds back of Ledecky at the 2017 World Champs, while Wang this year is the most dangerous of the two.

This year at Chinese Nationals, Wang clocked an Asian Record time of 8:14.64. That came just three weeks after she torched the Asian Record in the 1500 free at a Pro Swim Series stop with a time of 15:46.69. She’s still over three seconds back of Ledecky’s world-leading time, which was done at a PSS stop in May, and Ledecky on-form will be well under 8:10. But, in Budapest in 2017, she was just 8:12.68 — another swim like that would leave her incredibly vulnerable to the ever-improving Wang.

Wang’s countrymate, Li, was well off at Chinese Nationals with an 8:27.96, leaving her just 16th in the world. But Li, with her PR of 8:15.46 from Budapest, was the Asian record-holder before Wang broke her mark, and Li is still the #4 performer of all-time and the third-best active swimming right now based on best times.

Having had more success in LCM in the 200 and 400 free, American Leah Smith had a breakthrough at the 800 distance this spring when she went 8:16.33 at a PSS stop. It was a lifetime best by almost a full second, out-doing her performances at the 2017 Worlds and the 2018 Pan Pacs, which alludes to even more of a drop to come at Worlds. Smith, last summer, was edged by Titmus in this event and settled for bronze — Titmus got to the wall in 8:17.07, just over a tenth quicker than Smith.

Hailing from the fast-rising swimming nation of Italy is Simona Quadarella, who last year won the distance triple crown at 2018 Euros by sweeping the 400, 800, and 1500 free. She took the win in 8:16.45 in the 800, putting her right in the mix in the crowd of 8-teens while setting not only the Italian record, but the European one, too.

Leah Smith (photo: Jack Spitser)

There are a few big names to watch for out of Europe right now, and leading the continent in 2019 are Germany’s Sarah Kohler and Hungary’s Ajna Kesely. Kohler, who set the German 1500 record at Euros last year where she took the silver, is better the longer the distance. But, her 8:23.83 ranks her favorably this season at #6, right behind Australia’s second entrant to Worlds in this event, Kiah Melverton (8:22.83). She’s also just ahead of Kesely, the rising teenager who was 8:24.25 at the Canet stop of the Mare Nostrum tour.

It’s hard to gauge what we’ll see from Hungary’s Boglarka Kapas and Spain’s Mireia Belmonte. The pair finished 5th and 4th, respectively, in this event at the last Worlds, but Kapas was only 5th last summer at Euros despite having a breakthrough in the 200 fly to win gold there in 2:07.13. Meanwhile, she hasn’t even cracked the top 25 in the world in the 800, having been just 8:49 at Hungarian Nationals (though she was 8:36 in June). Belmonte’s been 8:27.12, a solid time considering she took 4th in 2017 with an 8:23, but this event could feasibly see six or more women break 8:20.

TOP-8 PICKS

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2019 World Champs Preview: Women’s 800 Free is Still a Race for Silver

By Wendy Mayer on SwimSwam

World University Games Water Polo – Men

• July 2-14, 2019
• Naples, Italy
• Time: UTC +2; 6 hours earlier than ET
• 10 Teams Per Gender
• Preview | Pool Play Recap | Round of 16 Recap
• Results

The World University Games (Summer Universiade) men’s water polo gold medal is staying with the hosts Italy as the host team topped the United States 18-7 in the championship match on Sunday. Italy improved from a bronze medal in 2017, and has now medaled in 3 straight editions of the World University Games.

The silver medal for the American men marks their 2nd medal in 3 editions, which the pessimist would point out is also their 2nd medal in 13 editions.

Hungary edged out Russia 23-22 in the 13th round of a penalty shootout to claim the bronze.

Sunday Results

Bronze Medal Match – Hungary def. Russia 23-22

Gold Medal Match – Italy def. USA 18-7

Sunday Recaps

Hungary def. Russia 23-22

After 32 minutes of play, the score was tied at 10-all. It took until the 13th round of the penalty shootout to decide the game. Each team made its first 12 attempts, before Kristof Varnai hit the 13th for Hungary and Ivan Gusarov had his saved by Istvan Kardos to end the marathon match.

In regulation, Gergely Burian led the way with four goals for Hungary  (7 total), while Tamas Gyarfas scored a hat trick (6 total). Daniil Merkulov led the way for Russia with four goals (7 total), followed by Ivan Suchkov andIgor Bychkov with two apiece. Bychkov ended the game with four goals.

Hungary led 3-1 after the first quarter after hitting three extra-player shots. Russia countered with four goals – two extra-man shots, a counter attack and an action shot – in the second period, tying the score at 5 heading into halftime. Merkulov accounted for three of the goals.

Russia grabbed the lead with a Merkulov extra-man shot and a 5-meter goal by Suchkov in the third quarter. Burian answered for Hungary with an extra man shot and a counter attack to knot the score at 7 with 6:42 to play. Down 8-7 after a Suchkov goal, Hungary vaulted ahead with an extra-man goal by Gyarfas and an action shot by Rolf Bencz. Bychkov tied it up with a penalty with 2:30 to go and gave his team the lead time ticking away. Kristof Szatmari slipped in a final score for Hungary to send the game to a shootout.

Erik Csacsovszky, Gyarfas and Varnai made three penalties apiece for Hungary, while Szatmari and Daniel Santa each scored twice.

For Russia, Merkulov and Ivan Vasilev found the back of the net three times with penalties, while Nikita Krug, Gusarov and Bychkov hit two shots apiece.

Italy def. USA 18-7

Italy opened the game with a 4-1 run and ended it with an 8-3 fourth quarter to deny the Americans the gold medal.

Nine players scored for Italy, led by Eduardo Campopiano‘s four goals and Giacomo Cannella‘s hat trick.

Tyler Abramson, Jacob Cavano and Quinn Woodhead managed two goals apiece for the United States.

Italy made 18 of its 36 shots, while the Americans managed seven scores in 20 attempts.

The host team put in two action shots, a center shot and an extra-player goal to grab the early 4-1 advantage. Abramson and Thomas Gruwell countered with action shots in the first four minutes of the second stanza to pull the USA within one (4-3), but Italy closed out the half with three scores in the final 2:11 to go up 7-3 at the break.

Italy continued its scoring onslaught with three goals – an extra-player, a penalty and a counter attack – in the first five minutes of the third quarter. An Abramson extra-player score with 14 seconds left ended the 6-0 run.

Later, trailing 12-4, Woodhead and Cavano made good on extra-man tries to pull the USA within six at 12-6 with 4:30 to go. From there it was nearly all Italy as the teams traded goals, before the victors wrapped up the match with a 5-0 push.

Final Standings

1. Italy
2. USA
3. Hungary
4. Russia
5. Japan
6. France
7. Croatia
8. Australia
9. Great Britain
10. Korea

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Italy Tops USA 18-7, Clinches Men’s Water Polo Gold at World University Games

By Nick Pecoraro on SwimSwam

2019 Speedo Champions Series- Gainesville

• Southern Zone South Sectionals
• July 11-14, 2019
• O’Connell Center Pool, University of Florida
• Gainesville, FL
• 50m (LCM)
• Meet Site
• Meet Info
• Psych Sheets
• Meet Mobile: “Southern Zone South Sectional Championships”

Florida Gator Caitlin Brooks won her second event of the Gainesville Sectional meet in the 200 back. Brooks smashed her lifetime best of 2:12.94 from the 2018 US Nationals to win with a 2:11.32. That time is now the 11th-fastest US time this year and the 29th-fastest time in 17-18 age group history.

Vanessa Pearl also won her second event of the meet, taking the 200 breast win with a 2:32.05. Her season best is a 2:30.90, which is ranked #20 in the US this year. Meanwhile, 13-year-old Gracie Weyant of the Sarasota Sharks finished in second with a lifetime best of 2:36.36. In the US this year, Weyant swam the 4th-fastest time in the 13-14 age group and cracked the top 50 times for all 18&U swimmers.

Winning his 4th event of the meet was Ridgefield’s Kieran Smith, taking the top time in the 200 back with a 2:02.38. Finishing in a tight second place was Brett Saunders (2:05.05), narrowly beating out 15-year-old FAST swimmer Josh Zuchowski (2:05.08). Zuchowski’s season and lifetime best is a 2:00.97, which ranks #17 in the US this year. That time is also the fastest time in the 15-16 age group this year and the 5th-fastest 18&U time.

More Day 4 Winners:

• Florida Gator Nikki Miller won the women’s 200 fly with a season best time of 2:14.88, just a second off her lifetime best of 2:13.92 from the 2017 British Championships.
• Florida HS 1A state champ Sterling Cranewon the 200 fly with a season best of 2:01.08, qualifying him for the 2020 Olympic Trials.
• In a tight women’s 100 free final, Gator Isabella Garofalo touched out 16-year-old Micayla Cronk(56.47) to win with a 56.43. Future Gator Talia Bates was also sub-57 with a 56.93.
• Alberto Mestre Vivas won the men’s 100 free with a 50.60, holding off Grant Sanders‘ 50.76 runner-up time.
• Marco Guarente won his second event of the meet with his winning 200 breast time of 2:15.39.

Final Team Scores:

Top 3 Men’s Teams

1. Gator Swim Club- 1724 points
2. Bolles School Sharks- 726 points
3. South Florida Aquatic Club- 682 points

Top 3 Women’s Teams

1. Gator Swim Club- 1562 points
2. Blue Dolfins- 949.50 points
3. Sarasota Sharks- 934.50 points

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Caitlin Brooks Swims #11 US Time in 200 BK at Gainesville Sectionals

By Nick Pecoraro on SwimSwam

2019 West Michigan Classic

• July 13-14, 2019
• Holland, MI
• Holland Aquatic Center
• Meet Site
• Meet Mobile: 2019 West Michigan Classic

At the 2019 West Michigan Classic, national team member Devon Nowicki, swimming for his home club Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics, popped two top 10 times in the US this year. His first win was in the 50 breast, swimming a 27.84. That time puts him at #10 in the country, just shy of his lifetime best of 27.10.

His second win of the meet was in the 100 breast, where he went a 1:00.64, a second off his lifetime best of 59.48. Nowicki’s time is now the 8th-fastest US time this year.

Future Michigan Wolverine and MHSAA state record holder Cam Peel (MLA) earned his first Olympic Trials cut in the 50 free. On Saturday, he led off the winning 200 free relay with a 23.44. The next day, he won the 50 free with a 23.13, dipping under the 23.19 standard.

PAC-12 champ Cameron Craig also made waves for MLA with his double event wins. Craig first set a new Holland Aquatic Center record in the 100 fly with a 54.39. His season best of 53.61 ranks within the top 25 US times this year. Craig also won the 50 fly with a season best of 24.79.

More Meet Highlights:

• 12-year-old MLA swimmer Sophia Umstead swept all 3 open breaststroke events over the weekend (34.39, 1:14.66, 2:40.46). Umstead has already qualified for the 2019 Junior Nationals in the 200 breast from Indy sectionals in March with a 2:37.32, the 4th-fastest time in 11-12 age group history.
• Ian Miskelley of MLA was a double event winner in the 200 free (2:01.24) and 200 back (2:12.59).
• Multi-time high school state champ and future Virginia swimmer Henry Schutte (RAYS) won the 50 back (29.36) and 100 free (53.89) over the weekend.
• MLA’s Kathryn Ackerman won three events during the meet: the 100 fly (1:04.56), 100 free (59.18), and 400 free (4:27.06).
• Michigan post-grad Taylor Garcia, representing Byron Center, won the 50 back (29.54) and 100 back (1:03.23). Garcia was a 2016 Olympic Trials semi-finalist, finishing 16th in the event.
• MLA swimmer and future Alabama swimmer Riley Vanmeter took second in the 100 fly behind Craig with a 55.49. Vameter later won the 200 fly with a 2:06.13, just a second shy off the 2019 Junior Nationals cut.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: National Teamer Devon Nowicki Swims Top 10 US Times in 50/100 BR at WM Classic

By Eamonn Keenan on SwimSwam

2019 LOS ANGELES INVITE

• July 11th-14th, 2019
• 50m (LCM) pool
• Uytengsu Aquatic Center, USC, Los Angeles, California
• Psych sheet
• Results

The fourth and final day of the 2019 Los Angeles Invite concluded with the men’s and women’s 100 fly, 100 back, 100 breast, the women’s 200 free, the men’s 200 IM, and the 400 medley relays.

Former U.S. National Teamer Kendyl Stewart won the first event of the night, the 100 fly, over Canadian National Teamer Danielle Hanus, 59.26 to 59.33. Stewart’s final time was slightly off her preliminary time of 58.81.

West Coast’s butterfly king Tom Shields dropped a 52.26 to take down Nikola Miljenic in the finals of the 100 fly. Miljenic, a Croatian-native heading into his third year at USC, stopped the clock at 53.55 for second, while Peak Swimming’s Ethan Hu posted a 53.70 for the bronze.

Stanford junior Hank Poppe reigned supreme in the men’s 100 breast, clocking a 1:03.01 over 16-year-old Jassen Yep‘s 1:03.87. Also swimming in this final was 47-year-old Steve West from NOVA, who in June lowered his own masters world record in this event to a 1:04.84. Tonight, West hit the pad at 1:04.77 to lower his world record and take sixth in the championship heat.

After blasting a 2:10 to win the 200 fly, 15-year-old Justina Kozan touched the wall in a time of 1:59.21 in the 200 free to win her second individual title of the meet. Earning the runner-up spot was soon-to-be Stanford junior Lauren Pitzer with a 1:59.68. Those two swimmers were the only ones to dip below 2:00 in the field.

Additional Event Winners:

• Team Elite’s Ali DeLoof narrowly won the women’s 100 back over Cal’s Blovad Keaton, 1:00.08 to 1:00.36 – a best time for Keaton by a couple tenths.
• Stanford sophomore Johannes Calloni picked up a solid victory in the men’s 100 back, earning a time of 55.77 to beat out fellow sophomore Hayden Cornellison of UNLV with his 56.48 for the silver.
• Another Cardinal sophomore, Allie Raab, won an individual event during the final session. Raab earned a commanding win in the 100 breast, touching at 1:07.87 as the only competitor under 1:09.
• Sam Iida, a junior from Arizona, handily won the men’s 200 IM with a final time of 2:03.16. His closest competition came from UCSB’s Douglas Nogueira with a 2:05.56.
• Rose Bowl’s team of Kailee Ruiz, Taylor Carey, Alex Syrkin and JungMin Yoon won the women’s 400 medley relay with a combined time of 4:22.26. The men’s relay was won by UNLV’s quartet of Hayden Cornellison, Francois Van Wynsberghe, R.J. Williams, and Hayden Hemmens.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Steve West Rewrites Masters World Record In 100 BR On Final Day of LA Invite

By Eamonn Keenan on SwimSwam

2019 ESSZ SUMMER LONG COURSE CHAMPIONSHIP

• July 11-14th
• Greensboro. NC
• Long Course Meters
• Live Results

The 2019 ESSZ Summer LC Championship capped off with the men’s and women’s 100 free, 200 breast, 200 back, and the 1500 free.

Ashley Neass, who will be a Kentucky Wildcat in the fall, handily won the women’s 1500 free to kick off the final session. The 18-year-old recorded a final time of 17:00.09 to close out her weekend. Running second was NC State’s Madeline Morello with a 17:17.60.

Rising NC State sophomore Curtis Wiltsey dominated the men’s 1500 free, official securing both titles in the longest distances with his 800 free win on the first night. The NC-native was the only competitor in the field to crack 16 minutes – he won the event with a solid 15:43.45 to earn a new personal best in the event. 16-year-old Jared Carter earned the runner-up spot with his final time of 16:12.62

Kentucky’s Riley Gaines won her first individual title of the meet during the women’s 100 free final. She battled it out with Duke’s Melissa Pish; the two crashed into the wall in times of 56.78 and 56.81 to finish first and second, respectively.

Former Duke swimmer Yusuke Legard, a native of England, showed up for his first and only event of the meet: the 100 free – and showed up he did. The 22-year-old won the event with a final time of 50.22, almost a full second ahead of Kentucky sprint staple Jason Head, who clocked a 51.17.

17-year-old Gillian Davey reigned supreme in the women’s 200 breast, and did so by a wide margin. Representing Central Iowa Aquatics, she stopped the clock at 2:32.31 to take the top spot ahead of another 17-year-old Genevieve Joyce out of Martins of Raleigh, who finished behind in 2:36.61.

South Carolina’s former breaststroke handyman Nils Wich-Glasen also picked up his first individual title on day four – in the men’s 200 breast. The 24-year-old held off a fast-charging William Brehm, a 17-year-old from Lakeside Aquatic Club, finishing to the wall in a time of 2:18.92 to Brehm’s 2:19.58.

NC State’s Emma Muzzy and MacKenzie Glover duked it out in the women’s 200 back final, with Glover getting off to a fast lead from the get-go and Muzzy attempting to reel her back in on the back-half. In the end, Muzzy narrowly got her hand on the wall first, registering a final time of 2:12.28. Glover finished a hair behind with a 2:12.39.

The men’s 200 back final – the final event of the competition – also featured an NC State throw-down. Wolfpack men finished 1-2-3 in the final, lead by John Healy‘s winning 2:00.66, followed by Jacob Johnson‘s 2:01.26, and concluding with Hennessey Stuart‘s 2:02.29.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: NC State’s Curtis Wiltsey Earns Second Win on Day Four Of Greensboro Sectionals

By Spencer Penland on SwimSwam

2019 LC IL SENIOR SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP

• July 11-14th
• Pleasant Prairie, WI
• Hosted by Academy Bullets
• Long Course Meters
• Results on MeetMobile

TOP 5 TEAM SCORES (THROUGH DAY 3)

COMBINED

1. Academy Bullets – 1805.5
2. Nasa Wildcat Aquatics – 1427.5
3. St Charles Swim Team – 547.5
4. Patriot Aquatic Club – 467
5. Glenbrook Swim Club – 466.5

MEN

1. NASA Wildcat Aquatics – 702
2. Academy Bullets – 628
3. Wheaton Swim Club, Inc. – 446
4. Glenbrook Swim Club – 271
5. Patriot Aquatic Club – 265

WOMEN

1. Academy Bullets – 1177.5
2. NASA Wildcat Aquatics – 725.5
3. St Charles Swim Team – 366.5
4. WAVES Bloomington/Normal – 332
5. New Trier Aquatics – 210

The Illinois Swimming Senior Championships concluded on Sunday, with the final session featuring the 1500 free, 200 back, 100 free, and 200 fly. Academy Bullets won 2 of 3 team titles, coming out on top in both the combined and women’s team scoring. NASA Wildcat Aquatics were victorious in the men’s team battle.

Carly Novelline (NASA Wildcat) won another freestyle event after winning the 200 free on Friday and 50 free on Saturday. Novelline tore to a new meet record in the women’s 100 free, touching the wall in 56.25. Novelline’s personal best sits at 55.76. Anna Peplowski, who finished 2nd to Novelline in both the 200 and 50 free earlier in the meet, again was runner-up to Novelline, clocking a 57.07 for a new personal best. Peplowski raced the 100 after winning the previous event, the 200 back, in meet record fashion. In a 1-2 punch for WAVES Bloomington/Normal, Peplowski posted a 2:17.74 for 1st, while teammate Julia Heimstead broke away from the field on the last 50, finishing 2nd in 2:18.13. Peplowski was slightly off her best mark of 2:17.22, while Heimstead’s race was a personal best.

Emma Gleason (Patriot Aquatic Club) won the women’s 200 fly in a personal best of 2:16.27. Gleason used the 3rd 50 to open up a lead on Heimstead, who had gotten out to the early lead. Heimstead, the 100 fly champion from Friday, ended up in 2nd with a new personal best of 2:16.94. 16-year-old Andrew Dai (Wheaton Swim Club) took the men’s 200 fly by about a half second, clocking a 2:04.93. Dai has a lifetime best of 2:02.42.

Northwestern’s John Thorne won the men’s 200 back in 2:06.57, just off his personal best of 2:05.53. Teammate Dong Hyeon Hwang won the men’s 1500, clocking a 16:26.52. Hwang was the only swimmer in the field to break 16:30. Maggie Graves (Barrington Swim Club) won the women’s 1500 in dominant fashion, touching in 17:06.83. She was 10 seconds off her personal best of 16:56.75, but won the event by over 20 seconds. Luke Maurer (NASA Wildcat) won the men’s 100 free over 50 free champion Topher Stensby. Stensby was out just slightly faster than Maurer, 24.83 to 24.97, then Maurer came home faster, 26.89 to 27.08. Maurer ultimately won the event in 51.86, with Stensby right behind in 51.91.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Carly Novelline Completes Sprint FR Sweep at IL Senior Champs with 56.2 100

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

Former University of Missouri head coach Greg Rhodenbaugh has been cleared of all wrongdoing in the school’s Title IX investigation into him, a public relations firm says.

Vox Populi Communications sent out a press release today announcing that Rhodenbaugh has been “cleared of all Title IX charges” and that the University of Missouri has officially closed the investigation.

The official closing of the investigation was issued late Wednesday, July 3rd, before the July 4th weekend,” the release says. “The notice followed Rhodenbaugh’s retention of former USA Swimming defense attorney Gregory A. Anderson, who notified the university’s General Counsel’s office that after nine months of waiting, Rhodenbaugh was filing suit for defamation of character, termination without notice or cause and other theories. Anderson alleged the never-ending investigation was intentionally interfering with negotiations between Rhodenbaugh and another premier Division 1 university to become its head coach for the 2019-2020 season.”

We’ve been trying to contact the school periodically since Rhodenbaugh was put under investigation last fall, but have not received any information on his status or the status of the investigation. The school announced last fall that Rhodenbaugh was on paid administrative leave for “team management allegations.” The Kansas City Star reported that the allegations centered around his management of female athletes and athletes’ mental health.

Mizzou promoted associate head coach Andrew Grevers to interim head coach at the time, then promoted him to permanent head coach back in May. Athletics director Jim Sterk commented on the move last month, saying that the program needed to “move on and have stability in leadership,” per the Columbia Missourian.

We’ll continue to update this story if we hear back from the University of Missouri.

More quotes from the Vox Populi Communications press release:

The release says that former and current Missouri swimmers and coaches wrote the University in support of Rhodenbaugh:

During the investigation, countless former and current swimmers came forward to support Rhodenbaugh. Annie Grevers who swam for Rhodenbaugh during his tenure at Arizona and is the sister-in-law of current MIZZOU head coach Andy Grevers and wife of 2016 Olympian Matt Grevers, said, “This is a man perpetuating good. He’s one of the most respected, empathetic men in college coaching.” As the investigation went on, numerous athletes were recruited to corroborate the allegations and instead refuted them. Not a single assistant coach, most of who were there on the deck during the supposed discrimination, supported the allegations. One assistant coach, Kristen Pritchet, who coached with Rhodenbaugh from 2013 through 2016 -when some of the supposedly discriminatory statements were made- said,”…[H]is [Rhodenbaugh’s] demeanor was the same with all of his athletes, regardless of their performance capabilities, gender, race or sexual orientation. Never once did I hear him yell, demean or belittle an athlete….” Nearly 300 past swimmers and coaches across the nation wrote the university in support of Rhodenbaugh.

The release also says that under Title IX rules, Rhodenbaugh was not allowed to defend himself during the investigation. Rhodenbaugh’s attorney was critical of the system, saying “there was no due process.”

The release also features some longer quotes from Rhodenbaugh:

“I was stunned. In my 34 years of coaching collegiate athletes, I think everyone I coached recognized that I deeply care about them and would do anything to help them achieve their goals and dreams – in the pool and out. My assistant coaches and I were the strongest advocates for sixty swimmers. From the sidelines, I encouraged the swimmers to stay focused on their goals and to not get sidetracked by all this.”

“I came to MIZZOU nine years ago to invest in the lives of young men and women who came here to swim and to build a top ten swimming and diving program and we did that. Along the way, I have always been conscious of the personal needs and academic goals of my student-athletes. While building a top team was incredible, that goal never outweighed my desire to help my athletes personally grow as they work through life issues. The other coaches and I know that being part of an SEC D1 swim program is challenging and transitioning from high school to college is tough. We were always conscious of the total well-being of the athletes and I am sorry that a few athletes didn’t realize the depth of care that all of the coaches had for them.”

When asked about the ordeal finally coming to an end, Rhodenbaugh stated,” As I have stated before, the men and women who came here to swim under our coaching team were part of an incredible story of building a swimming powerhouse and I am proud of every one of them. Leaving the swimmers here will be tough, but I am excited for my next coaching opportunity so that I can get back to my passion for helping young women and men achieve their dreams and aspirations at the highest level.”

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Release: Greg Rhodenbaugh Cleared of Wrongdoing In Title IX Investigation

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

Team USA’s Michael Chadwick posted a video to Instagram yesterday which depicts a time trial 50 free he did while at the American training camp in Singapore pre-Worlds. They’ve been stationed there for training camp before they head out to Gwangju for the 2019 World Championships, where pool swimming commences in less than a week.

In the video, Chadwick is suited up and races a 50 free. While he notes in his Instagram caption that the timing system was off, multiple hand-timed estimates registered around a 21.75.

“We didn’t have the timing system on but apparently I went a best time,” reads Chadwick’s caption.

A member of David Marsh’s pro group at Team Elite West in San Diego, Chadwick is one of several tough American sprinters with hopes of an Olympic berth next year. If the hand-timed estimate of his swim in Singapore is about right, it’s an unoffical two-tenths drop for Chadwick. His lifetime best is a 21.96 — he swam that time at 2016 Olympic Trials and then did so again at the 2019 PSS stop in Richmond this spring. He’s only been under 22 one other instance — a 21.99 at the 2017 Israeli Summer Championships.

Chadwick is one of 15 American men to have gone sub-22 in the 50 free in history. For fun, if the swim was official and he had in fact registered a 21.75, that would knock Gary Hall, Jr out of the top 10 and put Chadwick in 10th all-time. He’d also join Caeleb Dressel and Michael Andrew as the only American men under 22 this season. We’ll have to wait for him to get an official (and rested) time in this event, though, as he’s not racing the 50 free at Worlds.

Chadwick is a relay-only swimmer for Team USA in Gwangju, qualifying through his 5th place finish in the 100 free at 2018 U.S. Nationals.

View this post on Instagram

We didn’t have the timing system on but apparently I went a best time

By Adrian Mancebo on SwimSwam

CAMPEONATO MUNDIAL DE DEPORTES ACUÁTICOS 2019

• Todos los deportes: 12 – 28 julio 2019
• Natación en piscina: 21 – 28 julio 2019
• The Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center, Gwangju, Corea del Sur
• Web del evento
• Retransmisión por la FINA TV
• Retransmisión para España
• Resultados

Los primeros billetes para los Juegos Olímpicos de Tokio 2020 ya se han repartido en el Campeonato del mundo Gwangju 2019, concretamente en la prueba femenina de 10km aguas abiertas. Un total de 10 mujeres de 8 países distintos y 5 contienentes se han clasificado para la prueba olímpica en Tokio.

El mundial 2019 es la primera prueba clasificatoria de aguas abiertas para los Juegos Olímpicos, la otra prueba será el preolímpico que se disputará en Fukuoka (Japón) el año que viene, aunque la fecha todavía no ha sido publicada.

La prueba de los 10km ha sido ganado por la china de 22 años Xin Xin, conviertiéndose en la primera campeona mundial china en los 10 km aguas abiertas. Xin ya fue cuarta en los Juegos Olímpicos de Rio con tan solo 19 años. Con un tiempo de 1h 54m 47s, Xin se ha impuesto a la estadounidense Hayley Anderson, plata a menos de un segundo de la china. El bronce se lo ha llevado por poco la italiana Rachele Bruni, que ha entrado tan solo una centésima por delante de la francesa Lara Grangeon.

Los resultados son muy diferentes a los del mundial de Budapest 2017. Entonces, la francesa Aurelie Muller ganó el oro, mientras que ayer acabó en el puesto 11. La medallista de plata en 2017, la ecuatoriana Samantha Arévalo, solo ha podido ser 18ª en este mundial.

Nadadoras clasificadas para Tokio 2020

La prueba ha contado con 2 nadadoras españolas, la malagueña Paula Ruiz y la gallega Maria Vilas, que pese a salir valientes e ir en el grupo de cabeza gran parte de la prueba no han podido aguantar la embestida final. Ruiz se ha descolgado a partir de la hora y media de prueba y Vilas hacia mitad de la carrera, finalizado 24ª y 33ª, respectivamente.

Ruiz fue la gran estrella en el evento clasificatorio para el mundial, la copa LEN que se nadó en mayo en Brive (Francia). La campeona del mundo junior en 2016 y 2018 ganó en Brive la prueba de los 10 km, imponiéndose a la campeona olímpica Sharon van Rouwendaal, que ayer finalizó 10ª, clasificándose para sus terceros Juegos Olímpicos.

Vilas se ha reencontrado con la natación de élite este año con gran éxito tras haberse retirado tras los Juegos Olímpicos de Rio. Al mundial ha llegado con tan solo 10 meses de entrenamiento.

Las españolas se jugarán la clasificación olímpica el año que viene en el preolímpico de Fukuoka.

La prueba también contó con gran presencia hispanoamericana. A parte de el 18º puesto de la ecuatoriana Arévalo, destaca el 26º puesto de la peruana Maria Bramont y el 32º de la veterana argentina Julia Arino.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: La china Xin Xin gana los 10km del mundial, clasificatorios para las Olimpiadas

By Giusy Cisale on SwimSwam

CAMPIONATI MONDIALI FINA 2019 – OPEN WATER

• Sabato 13 Luglio/Venerdì 19 Luglio
• Yeosu Expo Ocean Park
• Live streaming FINA
• Swimswam Italia preview
• Risultati
• Sito web
• Recap- 5 km maschile
• 10 km femminile

Siamo giunti all’inizio di una delle gare più attese dei Mondiali FINA di Gwangju.

Allo Yeosu Expo Ocean Park, in Corea del  Sud, Gregorio Paltrinieri scende in acqua per la 10 km maschile.

Con Paltrinieri scenderà in acqua Mario Sanzullo, specialista delle acque libere, che ai Mondiali di Budapest del 2017 conquistò la medaglia d’argento.

A combattere contro gli italiani ci saranno il campione olimpico e mondiale in carica Ferry Weertman,  il tedesco Florian Wellbrock che lo scorso anno ai Campionati Europei di Glasgow saliva sul gradino più altro del podio. Paltrinieri toccò per terzo.

Ci sarà anche la medaglia d’oro nella 5 km Kristof Rasovszky che tenterà il tris 5/10/25 km.

In palio non ci sono solo medaglie. In acqua ci si gioca la qualificazione alle prossime Olimpiadi di Tokyo.

C’è l’intento di centrare uno degli obiettivi più ambiziosi che un nuotatore può avere. Quasi una pazzia per chi è abituato a vivere solo tra le corsie o soltanto nelle open water.

Greg vuole le Olimpiadi di Tokyo 2020.

Vuole la doppia qualifica acque libere/vasca e vuole dominare entrambe.

La marcia verso ciò che ad una persona “normale” sembra utopia è già iniziata.

2019 FINA World Championship Gwangju courtesy of Rafael Domeyko

10 KM MASCHILE

La gara è iniziata da pochi minuti ed al comando si stanzia Florian Wellbrock. Gregorio Paltrinieri inizia la gara posizionandosi nel gruppo di testa, in seconda posizione.

Obiettivo di Paltrinieri è evitare contatti e cercare di mettersi al comando già nelle prime fasi della gara.

Secondo giro

Al rilevamento cronometrico a conclusione del primo giro Paltrinieri si trova intorno alla quindicesima posizione, mentre Sanzullo rientra nelle prime dieci posizioni.

Ristabilite le posizioni dopo il rifornimento, a sorpresa l’olimpionico Ferry Weertman ha accumulato circa 25 secondi di svantaggio e nuota intorno alla 20sima posizione. Conduce ora il campione mondiale della 5 km Kristof Rasovszky, con Paltrinieri secondo e Mario Sanzullo a seguire nelle prime posizioni.

Terzo giro

Iniziato il terzo giro. Prime tre posizioni occupate da Paltrinieri, Wellbrock e Burnell. 

E’ l’italiano Paltrinieri a fare il ritmo. Gli altri gli stanno alle caviglia quando manca poco alla fine del terzo giro, che segnalerà la metà della gara. Mario Sanzullo è a 10 secondi dalla testa.. alla fine del terzo giro Paltrinieri accelera il ritmo e si delinea meglio il suo vantaggio.

Quarto giro

Paltrinieri, Burnell e Wellbrock. Il rilievo cronometrico all’inizio del quarto giro vede Gregorio Paltrinieri al comando con il britannico ed il tedesco subito dietro. Mario Sanzullo si mantiene intorno alla sesta posizione.

Ritmo serrato quello di Gregorio che nel frattempo ha perso anche la cuffia. Il gruppo ora è delineato. Dietro Paltrinieri ci sono Burnell, Wellbrock ed i due francesi David Aubry e Marc-Antoine Olivier.

Quinto giro

Inizia il quinto giro e Gregorio Paltrinieri rimane in testa. Posizioni praticamente invariate quando si avvicina sempre di più il momento di spingere per iniziare l’ultimo giro. Mario Sanzullo rimane nel gruppetto all’inseguimento di Paltrinieri. Recupera posizioni e secondi anche il campione olimpico Ferry Weertman e Kristof Rasovszky, che fino a questo momento hanno condotto una gara più defilata.

A metà del quinto giro, Paltrinieri perde il comando dopo aver condotto per gran parte della gara. Ora è Marc Antoine Olivier a trovarsi avanti, affiancato dal tedesco Wellbrock e dall’ungherese Kristof Rasovszky. Gregorio è in quinta posizione.

Sesto giro

Mancano soltanto 1666 metri al traguardo ed il gruppo di testa si fa più aggressivo. Al rilievo cronometrico cambia la situazione anche per l’Italia. Florian Wellbrock inizia a spingere, è primo con alle costole Olivier.

Mario Sanzullo si trova sempre al centro del gruppo, ora è intorno ala tredicesima posizione. La gara di Sanzullo appare molto diversa rispetto a quella di Paltrinieri. Inserito sin dall’inizio all’interno del gruppo di testa ha gestito la sua gara in maniera quasi scientifica.

Il gruppo di testa ha tra i migliori sprinter del fondo. Atleti abituati a dare il tutto per tutto nelle fasi finali della gara.

Quando mancano 700 metri al traguardo conduce Marc Antoine Olivier. E’ il francese a dettare il ritmo mentre Paltrinieri inizia a risalire. Duello one-to-one tra Wellbrock ed Olivier che staccano il rest del gruppo, mentre Paltrinieri e Sanzullo si trovano ora a dover affrontare un difficile inseguimento.

Traguardo

Siamo alle bracciate finali. Wellbrock ed Olivier entrano insieme nell’imbuto che porta al traguardo. Per Gregorio ora è importante rientrare nei primi dieci per assicurarsi la qualificazione alle Olimpiadi di Tokyo dell’anno prossimo.

Arrivo al fotofinish per il tedesco Florian Wellbrock che si laurea Campione del Mondo della 10 km.

Argento per Marc Antoine Olivier.

Gregorio Paltrinieri dopo aver condotto la gara per la metà di essa, chiude sesto e centra l’obiettivo qualificazione olimpica.

Mario Sanzullo lo accompagnerà poiché tocca il traguardo ottavo e vola a Tokyo.

Dichiara Gregorio Paltrinieri ai microfoni Rai:

Volevo stare lì davanti. E’ una nuova esperienza per me e l’importante era qualificarsi per le Olimpiadi.

Mario Sanzullo dichiara che è la giornata più bella della sua vita, poiché oggi ha realizzato il sogno olimpico.

Stefano Morini si dichiara contento a metà. Ci sono cose da analizzare e manca secondo il tecnico un po’ di esperienza. C’è però il tempo di fare tesoro e di migliorare.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Mondiali 10km: Paltrinieri E Sanzullo Qualificati Per Le Olimpiadi Tokyo 2020

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

Hours after a public relations firm announced in a press release that former Missouri swim coach Greg Rhodenbaugh had been cleared of wrongdoing in a Title IX investigation, the University of Missouri publicly disputed the release, calling it “inaccurate.”

Rhodenbaugh had been on paid administrative leave since last fall. Reports said Rhodenbaugh was under a Title IX investigation based on his handling of female athletes and athletes with mental health concerns. Since November, the school has not responded to any of our requests for comment on the situation and would not confirm Rhodenbaugh’s status with the program, nor the status of a Title IX investigation.

Earlier today, PR firm Vox Populi Communications distributed a press release claiming that Rhodenbaugh had been “cleared of all Title IX charges” and that the University had officially closed the investigation. That release suggested that Missouri’s closing of the case came after Rhodenbaugh hired an attorney and told the University of his intent to file a lawsuit for defamation and termination without notice or cause.

The school finally responded to our requests today with a release of its own, calling the Vox Populi release “inaccurate” and saying it “mischaracterized the university’s Title IX investigation and conclusion.”

The school agrees that the investigation was closed, but disputes that Rhodenbaugh was cleared. The school says it did not issue a finding, and that when it terminated Rhodenbaugh’s contract, the investigation ended without a conclusion.

“Recently, the investigation was closed because the university exercised its right in Rhodenbaugh’s contract to terminate his employment,” the school says. “Therefore, due to the fact that he would no longer be an employee of the university, no final Title IX report would be issued.”

The school also disputes the claim in the Vox Populi release that Rhodenbaugh wasn’t able to defend himself during the investigation:

“Gregory A. Anderson, Rhodenbaugh’s attorney, also indicated the former coach did not have an opportunity to defend himself against numerous complaints,” the school says. “Rhodenbaugh was provided detailed information throughout the process and met with university officials on several occasions with the assistance of his attorney.”

Mizzou promoted associate head coach Andrew Grevers to interim head coach when Rhodenbaugh was first placed on administrative leave, then promoted him to permanent head coach back in May. Athletics director Jim Sterk commented on the move last month, saying that the program needed to “move on and have stability in leadership,” per the Columbia Missourian.

Full Missouri press release:

A press release issued by a public relations firm and the attorney of former swimming coach Greg Rhodenbaugh is inaccurate and mischaracterized the university’s Title IX investigation and conclusion, University of Missouri officials said.

On Monday, a press release claimed that Rhodenbaugh was “cleared of all Title IX charges.” This was inaccurate; the university did not issue a finding. Gregory A. Anderson, Rhodenbaugh’s attorney, also indicated the former coach did not have an opportunity to defend himself against numerous complaints. Rhodenbaugh was provided detailed information throughout the process and met with university officials on several occasions with the assistance of his attorney.

Last fall, the university suspended Rhodenbaugh from coaching over concerns about his team management practices, and the university initiated a Title IX investigation. Recently, the investigation was closed because the university exercised its right in Rhodenbaugh’s contract to terminate his employment. Therefore, due to the fact that he would no longer be an employee of the university, no final Title IX report would be issued.

“If an individual’s employment status ends and a Title IX investigation is currently ongoing, the investigation is typically closed,” said Andrea Hayes, assistant vice chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX. “This does not indicate that there was a finding that an individual was cleared.”

MU’s Title IX process is viewed by many as a model among higher education institutions around the country. The current process was developed after input from students, faculty and staff and dozens of university and outside law experts — including two, independent consultants. The process clearly allows any respondents to know the specific concerns and present evidence.

“We make sure that anyone involved in the investigation has an opportunity to review information we uncover as well as represent themselves before any decision is made,” Hayes said. “We also have an extensive appeals process that can be utilized when needed.”

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Missouri Disputes Release, Says Rhodenbaugh Was Not Cleared Of Title IX Charges

By Nick Pecoraro on SwimSwam

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

• All sports: Friday, July 12 – Sunday, July 28, 2019
• Pool swimming: Sunday, July 21 – Sunday, July 28, 2019
• The Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center, Gwangju, Korea
• Meet site
• FinaTV Live Stream
• Results
• Men’s 10Km

After the women had their shot at qualifying for the open water event in Tokyo 2020, the men had their turn in the 10 km race. It was a tight battle between Germany’s Florian Wellbrock and France’s Marc-Antoine Olivier during the finishing moments of the race.

In a photo finish, it was Wellbrock who held off Olivier by two-tenths of a second to win the race with a 1:47:56. Olivier, who was the Olympic and 2017 Worlds bronze medalist, improved to a silver medal behind Wellbrock.

This is Florian Wellbrock‘s first individual international open water medal, adding to his two golds in the pool (800/1500 free) at the 2018 European Championships. At that same meet, Wellbrock swam the 25km, but did not finish the race.

Germany’s Rob Muffels earned himself a bronze medal in the race and will join countryman Wellbrock in Tokyo. Improving from his 5th place finish in 2017 was Hungarian Kristof Rasovszky, who bumped himself up to 4th place.

2017’s silver medalist American Jordan Wilimovsky finished in 5th place this time around, yet earned himself an Olympic berth almost a year before the US Olympic Trials in the pool in June 2020. Wilimovsky defeated Italian front-runner Gregorio Paltrinieri, who wound up in 6th place.

Defending world and Olympic champion Ferry Weertman of the Netherlands faded to 7th place, yet still has an opportunity to defend his Olympic title. Spain’s Alberto Martinez found himself in the top 8 as well.

Notching a second qualifier for their home nations are Mario Sanzullo of Italy and David Aubry of France, who rounded out the Olympic-qualifying top 10 men.

Note that swimmers who have qualified at this meet have blocked out their countrymen from qualifying for the Olympics. These countries cannot add a second Olympic qualifier that will be held in 2020 in Fukuoka, Japan. In Fukuoka, 15 spots will be awarded Olympic berths in Tokyo.

10 KM OPEN WATER RESULTS/2020 OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

Countries that have completed qualifying for the Olympics in the men’s 10km:

Updated Open Water Medal Count:

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2019 World Championships: Germany’s Wellbrock Wins Photo Finish Men’s 10K

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

An otherwise traditional and conservative Georgia Bulldog swimming & diving schedule for the 2019-2020 season will be highlighted by a new-look trip through the state of North Carolina to face a pair of teams that they don’t see that often: UNC and Duke.

The Bulldogs have dropped the January dual meet with the top 10 men’s and women’s teams from the University Texas from their schedule in the 2019-2020 season. In place of that meet, they’ll instead take an early-season trip to neighboring North Carolina for a pair of dual meets against the University of North Carolina on October 25th and Duke on October 26th.

Georgia and UNC have raced fairly regularly in their histories: the men’s teams raced head-to-head 30 times beginning in 1952. The Georgia men lead the all-time series 18-12; the women’s teams raced 22 times, beginning in  1978, and Georgia has a 21-1 all-time record in that series. That series took a break last season, but returns to the schedule this year.

The less-frequent of those opponents is Duke. The teams raced only once in their history, in 1981, where the Georgia men won 59-53 and the Georgia women won 90-50.

Aside from those meets, it will be a fairly traditional SEC schedule, with duals against Alabama, Florida (two-day), Texas A&M, and Tennessee, plus a regular-season finale against Division III powerhouse Emory, another Georgia team. Mid-season, Georgia won’t host an invite this year, and instead will race at the Tennessee Invite from November 21st-23rd.

Auburn will host the 2019 SEC Championships for both the men and women this season. Georgia will host the women’s NCAA Championship this season at the Gabrielsen Natatorium, while the men’s NCAA Championship meet will be hosted in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Both Georgia programs had off years last season, with each finishing 18th at the NCAA Championships. For the men, that broke a 6-year streak of top 10 finishes. The women are only 3 years removed from an NCAA Championship, and were 11th in 2018. The last time both teams finished outside of the top 10 at NCAAs was in 1994.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Georgia Drops Texas Dual, Will Race Duke for the First Time Since 1981