LSU swimmer Matthew Klotz has broken the Deaf Swimming World Record in his 2nd event of the weekend. Racing on Saturday at the Louisiana state meet, the 23-year old LSU rising senior first swam a 55.90 in the 100 back in prelims, and then a 55.78 in finals.
Both swims undercut his own previous World Record of 56.06 that was swum more than 3 years ago on June 18th, 2016.
On Thursday, Klotz swam a 23.11 in the 50 free, which also broke the Deaf Swimming World Record.
Klotz is a 5-time Deaflympics gold medalist and also holds long course World records in the 50 back (25.95), 100 back (56.06), and 200 back (2:01.96). This swim also put him under the US Olympic Trials standard in the 50 free for the first time in the qualifying period. Klotz has been exploring the possibility of trying to qualify for the Hungarian team for the 2020 Olympic Games. He has not yet hit the Olympic “B” standard in any events, however, and his 100 back from Saturday would rank him 8th among Hungarians so far this season.
Why does he want to join Hungarian team? (I am just curiousm, do not know situation. Thanks)
Aside from reaction time what are the big differences?
Obviously the talent pool is more limited, and it would be harder to coach a deaf athlete. And unless you had a really great, accomadating coach it would be more expensive too.
But that is still a little slower than I would have Expected. Not a shot at them or anything, I’m more just curious what obstacles I’m overlooking?