Tribuntsov Impresses at Estonian National Championships

The 2014 Estonian National Championships wrapped up on Friday in the capital of Tallinn, and even with some of the country’s biggest names in attendance, Ralf Tribuntsov stole the spotlight.

The timing came at a good moment, with Tribuntsov’s commitment to race for USC being announced on Thursday.

The 19-year old followed that announcement up with two individual, and one relay, National Record breaking swims this week.

First up came the 50 backstroke. There, Tribuntsov was a 25.74, which tied exactly his own National Record done only four weeks ago at a meet in Latvia.

Then, on Friday, Tribuntsov added two notches to the 50 fly. With the 50 meter sprint events being the only swum as prelims-finals, he had two opportunities to break this National Record, and twice he got it. First came a 24.45 in prelims, which again tied a national mark: that being a 2000 record in the event owned by Indrek Sei. Then, in finals, Tribuntsov broke through that with a 24.25 to own the record on his own.

He came into the meet with a personal best of 24.88, so this was a significant, though maybe not unexpected, improvement.

Tribuntsov was a part of a third National Record, when he swam the leadoff leg with Marti Aljand, Priit Aavik, and Fred Karu en route to a 1:42.80 in the 200 medley relay.

This versatility is why Tribuntsov is so exciting for USC. We’ve seen in the last several years that programs with this kind of a swimmer, who can sprint multiple strokes, win national titles (including Michigan – where there is some rumor that he was nearly committed to last year).

The Audentese SK swimmer also took the men’s 100 free in 51.09, beating out Pjotr Degtarjov in 51.12. This was the most exciting race of the meet, though neither swimmer hit close to what they’re capable of doing timewise.

Other individual winners include Martti Aljand, who won the men’s 100 breaststroke in 1:02.83. He was largely unchallenged with Martin Liivmagi not racing, but a good performance from 18-year old Martin Allikvee to take 2nd in 1:04.69 gives some excitement for the future.

Aljand also won the 200 IM in 2:09.93.

Full meet results available here.
Meet video recap available here.