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
- Competition Schedule
- FinaTV Live Stream
- Entry Lists
- Results
After three notable scratches in the women’s 200 freestyle–Ledecky out for illness; Ruck to focus on other events; and McKeon—Sarah Sjostrom, 2015 World Championships silver medalist and 2016 Olympic silver medalist, Siobhan Haughey of Hong Kong, and 400 freestyle champion Ariarne Titmus of Australia are the leaders. 2017 World Champion and long-time World Record holder Federica Pellegrini ought to be considered a lock for the finals as well.
In addition to the 200 freestyle, Katie Ledecky has also scratched the 1500 freestyle, where she is the 3-time defending champion and World Record holder. In her absence, Italy’s Simona Quadarella becomes the tentative favorite for the gold medal, and Spain’s Mireia Belmonte gets the bump to 8th.
The men’s 200 freestyle is a bit of a mixed bag, though China’s Sun Yang is the slight favorite but will have to contend with the likes of Australian Clyde Lewis, the first Aussie since Ian Thorpe to break 1:45 in the 200 freestyle.
Men’s 200 Freestyle – FINAL
- World Record: Paul Biederman (Germany), 2009, 1:42.00
- Junior World Record: Ivan Girev (Russia), 2017, 1:46.40
- World Championships Record: Paul Biederman (Germany), 2009, 1:42.00
- 2017 Defending World Champion: Sun Yang (China), 1:44.39
Australia’s Clyde Lewis was the early leader, flipping .05 under World Record pace. Lewis flipped 50.73 at 100 meters, clearly in the lead. Sun Yang overtook Lewis at 150 meters to flip first, but Danas Rapsys of Lithuania charted ahead of the field to touch first in 1:44.69. Rapsys, however, was disqualified for a slight twitch on the blocks, leaving the gold medal to China’s Sun Yang in 1:44.93.
Japan’s Katsuhiro Matsumoto claimed silver in 1:45.22, with Russian Martin Malyutin and Great Britain’s Duncan Scott in a tie for bronze in 1:45.63.
Italy’s Filippo Megli finished 5th in 1:45.67, top-seed Clyde Lewis 6th in 1:45.78, and Hungary’s Dominik Kozma 7th in 1:45.90.
During the awards ceremony, Duncan Scott chose not to pose for pictures with Sun Yang, Matsumoto, or Malyutin, similar to Mack Horton‘s protest of the awards ceremony of the 400 freestyle. Scott did, however, get on the podium to accept his bronze medal. As the athletes walked away from the podium, Sun got in Scott’s face tauntingly, saying “You lose, I win,” according to commentator Rowdy Gaines.
Medalists:
- GOLD: Sun Yang, China, 1:44.93
- SILVER: Katsuhiro Matsumoto, Japan, 1:45.22
- BRONZE: Martin Malyutin, Russia/Duncan Scott, Great Britain, 1:45.63
Women’s 1500 Freestyle – FINAL
- World Record: Katie Ledecky (United States), 2018, 15:20.48
- Junior World Record: Katie Ledecky (United States), 2014, 15:28.36
- World Championships Record: Katie Ledecky (United States), 2015, 15:25.48
- 2017 Defending World Champion: Katie Ledecky (United States), 15:25.48
Simona Quadarella took the early lead; at 200 meters, Quadarella had put about a body-length between herself and the rest of the field, flipping in 2:02. By 400 meters, Quadarella had pulled a slightly further ahead, hitting the wall in 4:06.62.
Sarah Kohler of Germany and Wang Jianjiahe of China have held 2nd and 3rd, respectively, behind Quadarella. At 700 meters, Quadarella flips in 7:14.91, 4 seconds ahead of Kohler.
Quadarella has extended her lead by 900 meters, though Kohler remains the strong second, several body-lengths ahead of Jianjiahe. Ashley Twichell of the United States has been steadily creeping up on Jianjiahe but at 1100 was still about a body-length behind.
Quadarella proved untouchable in the 1500, shaving 8 seconds from her previous lifetime best and new Italian National Record. Germany’s Sarah Kohler held on for silver in 15:48.83 and a new National Record, and Wang Jianjiahe took bronze in 15:51.00.
USA’s Ashley Twichell finished 4th in 15:54.19, and Australia’s Maddy Gough 5th in 15:59.40, the final swimmer under 16:00. Hungary’s Anja Kesely took 6th in 16:01.35, just ahead of Australia’s Kiah Melverton who finished 7th in 16:01.38. Spain’s Mireia Belmonte finished 8th in 16:02.10.
Medalists:
- GOLD: Simona Quadarella, Italy, 15:40.89
- SILVER: Sarah Kohler, Germany, 15:48.83
- BRONZE: Wang Jianjiahe, China, 15:51.00
Men’s 50 Breaststroke – SEMIFINAL
- World Record: Adam Peaty (Great Britain), 2017, 25.95
- World Junior Record: Nicolo Martinenghi (Italy), 2017, 26.97
- World Championships Record: Adam Peaty (Great Britain), 2017, 25.95
- 2017 Defending World Champion: Adam Peaty (Great Britain), 25.95
Italy’s Fabio Scozzoli blasted a 26.70 to win the first semifinal; Brazil’s Joao Gomes placed 2nd in the heat in 26.84. Russia’s Kirill Prigoda took 3rd in the heat in 27.08.
Adam Peaty won semifinal two in a commanding 26.11. Felipe Lima of Brazil touched 2nd in 26.62, Ilya Shymanovich of Belarus found the wall 3rd in 26.77, and China’s Yan Zibei 26.86, a new Asian Record. American Michael Andrew also made the final, finishing 5th in the second semifinal in 26.88.
Top 8 – FINALS QUALIFIERS
- Adam Peaty, Great Britain, 26.11
- Felipe Lima, Brazil, 26.62
- Fabio Scozzoli, Italy, 26.70
- Ilya Shymanovich, Belarus, 26.77
- Joao Gomes, Brazil, 26.84
- Yan Zibei, China, 26.86
- Michael Andrew, United States, 26.88
- Kirill Prigoda, Russsia/Tobias Bjerg, Denmark 27.08 — SWIM-OFF REQUIRED
Women’s 100 Backstroke – FINAL
- World Record: Kathleen Baker (United States), 2018, 58.00
- Junior World Record: Regan Smith (United States), 2019, 58.45
- World Championships Record: Kylie Masse (Canada), 2017, 58.10
- 2017 Defending World Champion: Kylie Masse (Canada), 58.10
Taylor Ruck turned first at 50 meters, but Kylie Masse overtook the field to win in 58.60, well off her season-best time of 58.16 from Canadian Trials in April. Australia’s Minna Atherton won silver in 58.85 and Olivia Smoliga of the United States got bronze ahead of Ruck in 58.91.
This morning, Ruck scratched the prelims of 200 freestyle to focus on the 100 backstroke. Had she swam the 200 free and made the semifinals, she would have been able to race the final of the 100 backstroke first; the women’s 200 freestyle semifinals are after the men’s 100 backstroke final.
Australian Kaylee McKeown finished 5th in 59.10, and World Record holder Kathleen Baker and Japan’s Natsumi Sakai tied for 6th in 59.56. Russia’s Daria Vaskina rounded out the field in 8th in 59.74.
Medalists:
- GOLD: Kylie Masse, Canada, 58.60
- SILVER: Minna Atherton, Australia, 58.85
- BRONZE: Olivia Smoliga, United States, 58.91
Men’s 100 Backstroke – FINAL
- World Record: Ryan Murphy (United States), 2016, 51.85
- Junior World Record: Kliment Kolesnikov (Russia), 2017, 53.38
- World Championships Record: Xu Jiayu (China), 2019, 52.17
- 2017 Defending World Champion: Xu Jiayu (China), 52.44
Ryan Murphy and Xu Jiayu exploded off the blocks, and Murphy flipped first at 50 meters in 25.00. Xu surged at the end, going .01 faster than his winning time from 2017 to touch 1st in 52.43. Russian 200 backstroke specialist Evgeny Rylov, who anchored Russia’s silver-medal 400 freestyle relay on day 1, picked up another silver tonight, hitting the wall in 52.67. Australia’s Mitch Larkin won bronze in 52.77, .01 ahead of the World Record holder Murphy, who faded to 4th.
Neither American Ryan Murphy or Matt Grevers–the past two Olympic champions–made the podium. None of the 8 swimmers in the final recorded a personal best time.
Ryosuke Irie of Japan placed 6th in 53.22, while Guilherme Guido was 7th in 53.26. Romania’s Robert Glinta finished 8th in 54.22.
Medalists:
- GOLD: Xu Jiayu, China, 52.43
- SILVER: Evgeny Rylov, Russia, 52.67
- BRONZE: Mitch Larkin, Australia, 52.77
Women’s 200 Freestyle – SEMIFINAL
- World Record: Federica Pellegrini (Italy), 2009, 1:52.98
World Junior Record: Shen Duo (China), 2014, 1:56.12- World Championships Record: Federica Pellegrini (Italy), 2009, 1:52.98
- 2017 Defending World Champion: Federica Pellegrini (Italy), 1:54.73
Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey took the first heat of the women’s 200 free in a new lifetime best and National Record time of 1:55.89. China’s Yang Junxuan cemented her place in the final with a 1:55.99, setting a new World Junior Record in the process. Canada’s Penny Oleksiak placed 3rd in the heat in 1:56.41. American Allison Schmitt placed 7th in the heat in 1:58.27.
Federica Pellegrini tied Sarah Sjostrom‘s prelims time to win semifinal heat two in 1:55.14. Australian 400 freestyle champion Ariarne Titmus was close behind in 1:55.36, and Sjostrom 3rd in 1:55.70.
Top 8 – FINALS QUALIFIERS
- Federica Pellegrini, Italy, 1:55.14
- Ariarne Titmus, Australia, 1:55.36
- Siobhan Haughey, Hong Kong, 1:55.58
- Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden, 1:55.70
- Yang Junxuan, China, 1:55.99
- Charlotte Bonnet, France, 1:56.19
- Penny Oleksiak, Canada, 1:56.41
- Rio Shirai, Japan, 1:56.82
Men’s 200 Butterfly – SEMIFINAL
- World Record: Michael Phelps (United States), 2009, 1:51.51
- World Junior Record: Kristof Milak (Hungary), 2017, 1:53.89
- World Championships Record: Michael Phelps (United States), 2009, 1:51.51
- 2017 Defending World Champion: Chad le Clos (South Africa), 1:53.33
Federico Burdisso took the race out just over World Record pace in 24.71 at 50 meters. Burdisso kept the lead through the 150, but American Zach Harting came through on the fourth 50 to win the heat in 1:55.26, just .21 off his best time. Japan’s Daiya Seto placed 2nd in the heat in 1:55.33, while Leonardo de Deus of Brazil took 3rd in 1:55.71, with Burdisso fading to 4th in 1:55.92.
Chad le Clos blasted the first 50 meters in 24.80, just .04 over World Record pace. Le Clos turned at 100 in 53.84. Kristof Milak of Hungary asserted himself at 150, then proceeded to bury everybody else in the field over the final 50. Milak touched the wall in 1:52.96–exactly the time le Clos went to win the gold medal in London 2012. Le Clos, meanwhile, touched 2nd in the field in 1:55.88, and Ukraine’s Denys Kesil 3rd in 1:55.95.
Milak’s fourth 50 split was 29.12; Harting’s 29.97; Seto’s 29.81. Only one other swimmer managed to record a sub-30 split on the final 50 of the race: Ukranian Denys Kesil, who closed in 29.66.
Hungarian Tamas Kenderesi finished 4th in the heat in 1:56.25, tying for 8th in the overall standings with Bulgaria’s Antani Ivanov. Now, Kenderesi and Ivanov will have to swim-off for a place in the finals of the 200 fly. According to Omega’s website, the swim-off will take place during tomorrow’s prelims session.
Top 8 – FINALS QUALIFIERS
- Kristof Milak, Hungary, 1:52.96
- Zach Harting, United States, 1:55.26
- Daiya Seto, Japan, 1:55.33
- Leonardo de Deus, Brazil, 1:55.71
- Chad le Clos, South Africa, 1:55.88
- Federico Burdisso, Italy, 1:55.92
- Denys Kesil, Ukraine, 1:55.95
- Antani Ivanov, Bulgaria/Tamas Kenderesi, Hungary, 1:56.25 — SWIM-OFF REQUIRED
Women’s 100 Breaststroke – FINAL
- World Record: Lilly King (United States), 2017, 1:04.13
- Junior World Record: Ruta Meilutyte (Lithuania), 2014, 1:05.39
- World Championships Record: Lilly King (United States), 2017, 1:04.13
- 2017 Defending World Champion: Lilly King (United States), 1:04.13
Lilly King shot out to the lead at 50 meters, turning in 30.29, but was well off her World Record pace. Russia’s Yulia Efimova was closer than normal in the first 50, turning in 30.70, a foreboding sign given Efimova’s renowned closing speed. King, however, held on to win in 1:04.93, closing in a 34.64 to Efimova’s 34.79. Efimova ultimately finished in 1:05.49, and Italy’s Martina Carraro 3rd in 1:06.36, just out-touching Japan’s Reona Aoki, who took 4th in 1:06.40.
Medalists:
- GOLD: Lilly King, United States, 1:04.93
- SILVER: Yulia Efimova, Russia, 1:05.49
- BRONZE: Martina Carraro, Italy, 1:06.36
Men’s 50 Breaststroke – SWIM-OFF
- World Record: Adam Peaty (Great Britain), 2017, 25.95
- World Junior Record: Nicolo Martinenghi (Italy), 2017, 26.97
- World Championships Record: Adam Peaty (Great Britain), 2017, 25.95
- 2017 Defending World Champion: Adam Peaty (Great Britain), 25.95
Russia’s Kirill Prigoda and Denmark’s Tobias Bjerg tied with a time of 27.08 in the semifinals of the men’s 50 breaststroke. Bjerg swam in heat 1, while Prigoda recorded his time in heat 2. The winner of this one-lap race will have the opportunity to race for a medal in tomorrow’s final.
Prigoda won the head-to-head against Bjerg, touching 27.09 to Bjerg’s 27.16. Now, Prigoda will take lane 8 in tomorrow’s championship final.
Top 8 – FINALS QUALIFIERS
- Adam Peaty, Great Britain, 26.11
- Felipe Lima, Brazil, 26.62
- Fabio Scozzoli, Italy, 26.70
- Ilya Shymanovich, Belarus, 26.77
- Joao Gomes, Brazil, 26.84
- Yan Zibei, China, 26.86
- Michael Andrew, United States, 26.88
- Kirill Prigoda, Russsia, 27.09
Kenderesi has been 28.xx on the last 50 multiple times.
We don’t need the bizarre spectacle of swim-offs. Tomorrow we’ll see a bear-pit contest in the men’s 200BF. That really takes the cake! Couldn’t they have just had a countback and given it to the guy who had the faster time in the prelims?
Does Lithuania have a 4×200 free relay entered (I doubt it)
Nothing will make up for this screw up here (well winning the Olympics but that’s still a year away) but 1:44.69 would’ve been one of the fastest times ever and to know you’ve done that but having it ripped away is a shame. If I were him I’d love one more chance just to go for it and get an official fast time.
Side note seeing what happened with his start when he appeared to lose balance at the worst possible time, the rules are the rules but I really don’t think that should be a DQ…
Simonas Bilis used to swim pretty fast 200s for NC State. Not sure he trains for it now or who else they have.
So I wonder what drama is going to unfold today?
the 100 free should be fun …..
I’m actually looking forward to some.
Dressel. 28.8 I’d say that wins.
I just don’t understand what some of the American swimmers must be doing during the year. More than half swam faster DURING mid-season when they were supposed to be in hard training. Is there too much focus on always being ready to swim fast? Do all of the pro meets provide a disincentive to put the real work in? Are the top swimmers just losing the love?
2020 trials is going to bring a lot of new US faces to Japan.
I think with more money on the line, along with some head games, swimmers are “preparing” more for the in season meets than has been done in the past!
There are huge monetary bonuses for winning a Worlds event as well though
It shows what coaches know how to rest their swimmers. When everyone wears a fast suit at every meet and goes really fast, they should swim even faster when shaved and rested, but that isn’t happening. 20 years ago swimmers would drop a lot of time from their in season meets to their championship meets because of rest, shave, and a fast suit. Now, everyone wears a fast suit at every fairy big meet so the only difference is can a coach truly taper a swimmer for peak performance. Or does a taper even matter? Are the fast suits the main reason why a swimmer swims near or a best time?
I find it more interesting how many meets have swimmers shaving down for.
Found a video of Milaks semi swim
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m_oqj6U7CxA
Looks easy, it appears that he was just trying to do the minimum to stay on Le Clos hip, then towards of the 3rd let it loose to get a good turn in and a strong final 50. He did not look like he was pushing that.
The WR is a bit ridiculous so I don’t see him getting that but I think he could challenge the textile best (1:52.09 from Phelps in 2007, which was a ridiculous Champs from him. He won 7 golds and set some very impressive WRs (without the LZR that Speedo brought in to nearly a year later) like the… Read more »
BTW when is the 200 fly swim off (my guess would be prelims today) Ivanov has been a consistent 1:55 swimmer for a while now and Kenderesi has been comfortably able to 1:54s and was a common pick for second in this race. Could be a fast showdown though it will then probably hurt their chances in the final
Pellegrini trying to extend her long streak of medals in the 200 free. She knows exactly how to pace it. She’ll be right in the middle of the pool so she’ll see her competition on both sides.
I think she’ll get on the podium again. Hard to predict who’ll be the winner though.