SWIMMING WORLD CUP SWC 2013, Eindhoven Day 2: Amazing Hosszu (HUN) sets two WR in the 100m IM

RENANG INDONESIA, Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu was the swimmer in evidence in the second and final day of the inaugural leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup 2013 held in Eindhoven (NED) from August 7-8. After setting two World Records on Day 1 in the 200m IM, the Magyar champion, winner of the women’s overall ranking of the World Cup in 2012, was once more amazing in the 100m IM, clocking 57.73 in the heats, 0.01 faster than the previous best global mark set by Hinkelien Schreuder (NED) in November 2009. In the final, Hosszu was even better, establishing the new WR in 57.50.

The Magyar versatile swimmer had a brilliant day, triumphing also in the 400m IM in a new World Cup best of 4:22.18, a European record. The previous best performance of the competition had been set by South Africa’s Kathryn Meaklim in November 2009 (4:22.88). The third victory of the session for Hosszu happened in the 200m butterfly when she touched home in 2:03.67.

The other highlight of this second session was the World Cup record of Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA) in the men’s 1500m free in 14:27.65, improving the time of compatriot Federico Colbertaldo (14:28.35) established also in November 2009.

Still in the men’s field, Yannick Agnel (FRA) easily won the 200m free in 1:42.33 while Fabio Scozzoli (ITA) was the best in the 100m breaststroke (56.49), namely leaving behind (in third) Japanese legend Kosuke Kitajima. The 100m butterfly and the 50m backstroke were thrilling finals: in the first, Steffen Deibler (GER) started fast and even touched under WR pace at 50m but Chad Le Clos (RSA) touched in 49.08 for the gold. In the backstroke race, Ashley Delaney (AUS) was first in 23.28, 0.01 faster than teammate Robert Hurley and 0.10 better than bronze medallist Vladimir Morozov (RUS). In the 50m free, the Russian star was in better shape, getting the title in 20.66. Kenneth To (AUS) and Radoslaw Kawecki (POL) did not have problems to triumph in the 200m IM and 200m backstroke, respectively.

In the women’s field, Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) got the 100m free gold medal in 51.54 (the local hero has established a new WR on Day 1 in the 50m free) while Alia Atkinson (JAM) and Aya Terakawa (JPN) comfortably won the 50m breaststroke and 100m backstroke races, respectively. In the 400m free, the interesting duel between Lauren Boyle (NZL) and Melanie Costa (ESP) was won by the New Zealander, in a good time of 3:55.16. Denmark could celebrate with the two victories of Rikke Pedersen in the 200m breaststroke (2:17.05) and of Jeanette Ottesen in the 50m butterfly (24.87).

THE BEST PERFORMERS IN EINDHOVEN

Men

1. LE CLOS Chad (RSA), 1:49.04, 200 Fly (WR), 1001 pts
2. GYURTA Daniel (HUN), 2:01.44, 200 Breast (WCupR), 981 pts
3. BOVELL George (TRI), 51.15, 100 IM, 974 pts

Women

1. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN), 2:03.20, 200 IM (WR), 1034 pts
2. KROMOWIDJOJO Ranomi (NED), 23.24, 50 Free (WR), 1001 pts
3. BOYLE Lauren (NZL), 8:01.22, 800 Free (WCupR), 999 pts 

PROVISIONAL LEADERS OF THE OVERALL RANKING (after Meet 1)

Men

1. Chad Le Clos (RSA) - 74 points
2. Daniel Gyurta (HUN) - 39 pts
3. Vladimir Morozov (RUS) - 33 pts

Women

1. Katinka Hosszu (HUN) - 161 points
2. Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) - 62 pts
3. Lauren Boyle (NZL) - 36 pts
3. Jeanette Ottesen Gray - 36 pts