2021 LEN EUROPEAN AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Swimming: Monday, May 17th – Sunday, May 23rd, 2021
- Budapest, Hungary
- Prelims at 10:00 am local/Finals at 6:00 pm local
- Event Site
- Entry List
- Live Results
- Live Stream
During the men’s 50 backstroke final at the 2021 European Swimming Championships, Kliment Kolesnikov lowered the world, European, Russian, and Championships record for the second time in 2 days. He first hit a 23.93 world record in the semi-finals of the event and then brought it down again to a 23.80 during the finals. Heading into the championships, Kolesnikov held the record at a 24.00 at the 2018 European Championships.
Kolesnikov now has the top 3 long course 50 backstroke times if history.
Top 5 Men’s LCM 50 Backstroke Performances:
- 23.80 – Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) 2021
- 23.93 – Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) 2021
- 24.00 – Kliment Kolesnikov 2018
- 24.04 – Liam Tancock (GBR) 2009
- 24.07 – Camile Lacourt (FRA) 2010
- 24.08 – Kliment Kolesnikov Kolesnikov 2021
Check out both of Kolesnikov’s gold medal-winning, world record-breaking swim, courtesy of Snake Eyes on YouTube:
2021 European Swimming Championships Men’s 50 Backstroke Semi-final
Reported by James Sutherland
- Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), 23.93
- Apostolos Christou (GRE), 24.49
- Robert Glinta (ROU), 24.57
- Hugo Gonzalez (ESP), 24.60
- Grigory Tarasevich (RUS), 24.68
- Conor Ferguson (IRL), 24.81
- Simone Sabbioni (ITA) / Viktar Staselovich (BLR), 25.02
- –
Kliment Kolesnikov did it again.
The Russian broke the world record in the men’s 50 backstroke for the second straight European Championships, except this time, he also becomes the first man under 24 seconds.
Kolesnikov set the world mark at 24.00 in 2018, and now eclipses that barrier in 23.93 in a historical semi-final performance. The 20-year-old also takes out his European and Russian Records. He had previously been 24.08 this year at the Russian Olympic Trials.
Greece’s Apostolos Christou qualified second in 24.49, lowering his National Record of 24.75 set at the 2019 World Championships. The time slots him into second in the world rankings behind Kolesnikov.
2021 European Swimming Championships Men’s 50 Backstroke Final
Reported by James Sutherland
- Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), 23.80 WR
- Robert Glinta (ROU), 24.42
- Hugo Gonzalez (ESP), 24.47
Kliment Kolesnikov dropped an absolute stunner in the men’s 50 back final, shattering his 24-hour old world record in a time of 23.80.
Kolesnikov had set the record in last night’s semis in 23.93, which was history’s first under 24 seconds. Now, he is a full two tenths clear of that barrier, having won the gold medal by a staggering .62.
Romanian Robert Glinta repeats as the silver medalist behind Kolesnikov in 24.42, and Hugo Gonzalez broke the super-suited Spanish Record by .01 in 24.47 for bronze. The previous record of 24.48 was set by Aschwin Wildeboer.
So it took 20 seconds of the semi final before the camera angle was acceptable. Can’t someone tell them to fix this? Please?
Could he bust up part of the U.S backstroke streak?
He will beat Murphy in 100 back; easily. And Russia will also win 4×100 free 4×100 medley, super fast team. Dressel is the only male American that can win a gold medal, but will have tough competition in 100 free.
Both of the relays will be very close thats for sure. I think you’re right about 100bk but we will have to wait for US trials to be sure. Not a lot of impressive times from American men so far this year who aren’t MA.
Can he beat Murphy? Yes it is possible, not sure about “easily” part. There were doubts about US men’s squad before Rio as well…
Will Kolesnikov break the men’s 100 meter backstroke?
I think only Peaty and Ledecky can say they’ve completely broken their events in recent years. 😅
Milak enters the chat.
Dressel enters the chat (100 fly)