Rio Rapid Fire: Day Six Finals

FLORENT MANAUDOU LEADS HUNT FOR SPLASH AND DASH GOLD

Defending Olympic gold medallist Florent Manaudou of France was the fastest qualifier for the men’s 50m freestyle final, going out in a 21.32 tonight to pave the way for gold. Manaudou was over one-tenth faster than any other qualifier.

RIE KANETO GETS THE JOB DONE IN 200 BREAST FINAL

Japan’s Rie Kaneto won a very tight race in the women’s 200 breaststroke, claiming gold in a time of 2:20.30. She won the final by over a second and a half, taking down Yulia Efimova of Russia who earned silver with her 2:21.97 performance.

2016 Rio Olympics/photo credit Simone Castrovillari

RYAN MURPHY SWEEPS THE BACKSTROKES WITH 200 VICTORY

American Ryan Murphy won the men’s 200m backstroke, giving him his second Olympic gold medal and continuing the streak of backstroke dominance in the 200 back. This marks six straight Olympic golds in the 200 back. He becomes the first man to sweep backstroke events since Aaron Peirsol in 2000.

Ryan Murphy – 200 back Olympic Gold – 2016 Rio Olympics/photo credit Simone Castrovillari

KATINKA HOSSZU BREAKS OWN NATIONAL RECORD TO TOP SEMIFINAL RESULTS IN 200 BACK

Katinka Hosszu slightly bettered her prelim swim to re-break the Hungarian national record in the women’s 200m backstroke. Hosszu was a 2:06.03 and is the top seed heading into tomorrow’s final by over a full second.

MICHAEL PHELPS BECOMES FIRST SWIMMER TO WIN FOR CONSECUTIVE GOLDS IN SAME EVENT

In a stunning victory Michael Phelps became the first swimmer to win four consecutive gold medals in a single event at the Olympic Games. Phelps was a 1:54.66 at the wall to win the race by almost two full seconds, asserting his dominance as the greatest swimmer of all time.

2016 Rio Olympics/photo credit Simone Castrovillari

SIMONE MANUEL BECOMES FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO WIN SWIMMING GOLD, BREAKS AMERICAN RECORD AND OLYMPIC RECORD

Simone Manuel touched in for gold with Canada’s Penny Oleksiak in the 100m freestyle. Her time of 52.70 broke the previous American record, making her the first American woman under 53-seconds. Her gold also marks the first gold ever won by a black woman in swimming.

Simone Manuel – 100 free – gold – 2016 Rio Olympics/photo credit Simone Castrovillari

PENNY OLEKSIAK BREAKS WORLD JUNIOR RECORD, OLYMPIC RECORD, CANADIAN RECORD, TIES AS MOST DECORATED CANADIAN SWIMMER EVER, FIRST INDIVIDUAL OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST BORN THIS CENTURY

In an amazing turn of events for the 16-year-old Canadian prodigy, Penny Oleksiak got her hand on the wall in a tie for first Canadian Olympic gold medallist in swimming in 24 years. Oleksiak broke her own junior world record, Canadian record, and tied for the Olympic record with Simone Manuel in the process. Her fourth Olympic medal ties her as the most decorated Canadian Olympic swimmer of all time. Her gold also makes her the first individual Olympic gold medallist born in the 2000s.

Simone Manuel – 100 free – gold – 2016 Rio Olympics/photo credit Simone Castrovillari

JOSEPH SCHOOLING LEADS 100 FLY GOLD MEDAL HUNT WITH ASIAN RECORD – PHELPS IN THE MIX

Posting a huge 50.83 in the men’s 100m butterfly, Joseph Schooling of Singapore broke his own Asian record in order to take the top seed heading into tomorrow’s final where Michael Phelps will be attempting his second four-peat of these games.