SWIMMING WORLD CUP SWC 2013, Berlin Day 2: Unstoppable Hosszu wins 100 and 400 IM in WR time

RENANG (11 August 2013). Katinka Hosszu proceeded to bag three more gold on day 2 of the FINA Swimming World Cup in Berlin, prevailing in the women's 200m fly, 100m and 400m individual medleys. In the 100m IM morning heats, the Hungarian bettered her own World Record set in Eindhoven, clocking 57.45. In the final, she took out the race in 57.74 (1000 points), besting Emily Seebohm (AUS, 58.76), second, and Alia Atkinson (JAM, 58.77), third.

The women's 400m IM, the podium was exclusively Hungarian with Hosszu touching first in a World Record time of 4:20.85 (1002 points), also a World Cup record. Compatriots Zsuzsanna Jakabos (4:29.42) and Evelyn Verraszto (4:32.97) placed second and third, respectively. Hosszu was also the winner of the women's 200m fly in 2:03.36 (938 points), ahead of Ellen Gandy (AUS, 2:03.79), second and Audrey Lacroix (CAN, 2:04.02), third.

Mireia Belmonte (ESP) clinched the women's 400m free in 3:54.52 (1004 points), setting a new World Record and World Cup Record. Lauren Boyle (NZL) finished second in 3:55.31 while Melanie Costa Schmidt (ESP) claimed third spot in a time of 3:58.31. It was a close race with all three swimmers leading at some point of the race. Belmonte's final sprint in the last 25m sealed her victory.

In the women's 200m breast, Rikke Pedersen (DEN) perfectly controlled her race to touch first in a time of 2:15.93 (970 points), a new European record (she bettered her own mark from the Istanbul World short course in 2012). Japan's Rie Kaneto took second in 2:19.31 while Martha McCabe from Canada was third in 2:19.85.

A fierce battle unfolded in the men's 200m free between Yannick Agnel (FRA) and Conor Dwyer (USA). The Frenchman powered home, winning by a small margin (1:41.26 against Dwyer's 1:41.30). Pawel Korzeniowski (POL) completed the podium in 1:42.86.

In the men's 1500m free, Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri dominated from start to finish, clocking 14:30.74 (930 points). Grego Kis (HUN), who trailed the Italian for most of the race, took second in 14:34.69 while Filip Zaborowski (POL) finished in a time of 14:36.42, claiming bronze.

In the women's 100m free, Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) had the edge, touching first in 51.28 (984 points), ahead of compatriot Femke Heemskerk (52.20), second, and Sandrine Mainville (CAN, 52.41), third.

Robert Hurley (AUS) took out the men's 50m back in 23.20 (925 points), beating Vladimir Morozov (RUS, 23.56), second, and teammate Mitche1l Larkin (23.80), third.

The men's 200m back was a hard-fought race between Radoslaw Kawecki (POL) and Tyler Clary (USA). The European emerged victorious in 1:47.63 (958 points), edging out Clary, who took second in 1:48.60. Japan's Ryosuke Irie placed third in 1:50.72.

In the women's 100m back, Aya Terakawa (JPN) registered a clear win in 56.10 (954 points) over Emily Seebohm (AUS, 59.59), second, and Simona Baumrtova (CZE, 57.15), who bagged her second bronze after the one in the 50m back on day 1.

In the men's 200 IM, Australian Kenneth To showed his prowess in his pet event, clocking 1:52.01 for the win (937 points). The duel for silver played out between Chad Le Clos (RSA) and Daiya Seto (JPN). The South African was faster, scooping silver in 1:52.11 while the Japanese settled for third in 1:52.62.

In the men's 100m fly, Thomas Shields (USA) prevailed in 49.01 (967 points). Chad Le Clos (RSA) faced pressure from local Steffen Deibler but eventually captured silver in 49.48. Deibler (GER) claimed the bronze in 49.72.

In the women's 50m fly, Ilaria Bianchi (ITA) won the gold in 25.62 (861 points) after Jeannette Ottesen Gray was disqualified. Canadians Katerin Savard placed second in 25.93 and Sandrine Mainville, third in 26.04.

In the men's 100m breast, Fabio Scozzoli (ITA) edged out Daniel Gyurta (HUN) by a slim margin (56.58 - 949 points against 56.79) while local Marco Koch claimed third spot in 57.38.

In the women's 50m breast, Alia Atkinson (JAM) surged for the win, touching home in 29.31 (948 points), ahead of Rikke Pedersen (DEN), second in 30.00 and Caroline Ruhnau (CLB), third in 30.14.

It was a close finish in the men's 50m free with Roland Schoeman (RSA) prevailing in 20.86 (921 points), Vladimir Morozov (RUS) taking second in 21.00 and local favourite Steffen Deibler, securing the bronze in 21.04.

In the mixed 4x50m free relay, the team from the Netherlands was the fastest (1:30.33), beating Germany, second and another Dutch team, third. 

THE BEST PERFORMERS IN BERLIN

Men
1. GYURTA Daniel (HUN): 2:01.37 - 982 pts - (WCupR) 200 breast
2. LE CLOS Chad (RSA): 1:49.90 - 978 pts - 200 fly
3. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS): 51.13 - 975 pts - 100 IM

Women
1. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN): 2:03.25 - 1033 pts - 200 IM
2. BELMONTE Mireia (ESP): 7:59.34 - 1010 pts - (WR) 800 free
3. BOYLE Lauren (NZL): 3:55.31 - 994 pts - 400 free

PROVISIONAL LEADERS OF THE OVERALL RANKING (Berlin only)

Men
1. LE CLOS Chad (RSA) - 54 pts
1. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS) - 54 pts
2. GYURTA Daniel (HUN) - 45 pts

Women
1. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN) - 121 pts
2. BELMONTE Mireia (ESP) - 82 pts
3. PEDERSEN Rikke Moeller (DEN) - 33 pts

Points CLUSTER #1  (Eindhoven + Berlin)

Men
1. LE CLOS Chad (RSA) - 128 pts
2. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS) - 87 pts
3. GYURTA Daniel (HUN) - 84 pts
4. SCHOEMAN Roland (RSA) - 57 pts
5. DWYER Conor (USA) - 51 pts
6. TO Kenneth (AUS) - 48 pts

Women
1. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN) - 282 pts
2. BELMONTE Mireia (ESP) - 97 pts
3. KROMOWIDJOJO Ranomi (NED) - 86 pts
4. BOYLE Lauren (NZL) - 66 pts
5. SEEBOHM Emily (AUS) - 63 pts
6. OTTESEN GRAY Jeanette (DEN) - 57 pts