Atlet Renang Jabar Diancam Denda Rp 5 Juta

BANDUNG, (RENANG) — Atlet renang Jawa Barat yang tergabung di tim Pelatnas terancam denda Rp 5 juta pada Porda 2014 Jabar, apabila berlaga dengan catatan waktu di bawah limit yang ditetapkan.

"Atlet Pelatnas akan didenda Rp 5 juta jika catatan waktunya di bawah limit 16 besar," kata Ketua Bidang Pembinaan Prestasi Pengda PRSI Jabar Verdia Yosef di Bandung, Kamis.

Menurut Yosef, penerapan denda bagi atlet Pelatnas tersebut sebagai bentuk program pembinaan sehingga mereka memiliki tanggung jawab moral sebagai atlet andalan Jabar. "Meski mustahil atlet Pelatnas mencatat waktu buruk seperti itu, kecuali karena cedera. Itu masalah lain," kata Verdia Yosef.

Sementara itu, untuk program pra-kualifikasi Porda Jabar 2014, para atlet Pelatda dan Pelatnas otomatis lolos ke Porda dengan alasan catatan waktunya sudah di atas rata-rata.

Hal sama juga bagi atlet yang berlatih di luar negeri, bisa menyertakan rekam jejak catatan waktu latihannya. "Untuk Porda akan diikuti oleh 16 besar perenang di setiap nomornya, di setiap nomor maksimal setiap daerah hanya menyertakan dua perenangnya," kata Verdia Yosef.

Sementara itu, babak kualifikasi Porda Jabar 2014 cabang renang akan digelar 23-27 November 2013 di Kolam Renang Prestasi Kompleks Pajajaran Sport Center.

Kolam renang yang dibangun untuk pembinaan atlet renang Jabar itu akan digunakan untuk ajang kejuaraan untuk pertama kalinya. Untuk nomor loncat indah akan dilakukan di Kolam Renang UPI Bandung. "Sebanyak 250 atlet renang akan bertanding pada kualifikasi Porda Jabar 2014," kata Ketua Bidang Pembinaan Prestasi PRSI Jabar ini. (Kompas.com)

Nomor Andalan Hilang, Target Emas Renang di SEA Games tak Berubah

JAKARTA, (RENANG).- Tidak ada pengurangan target dari cabang renang di SEA Games XXVII/2013 kendati Indonesia kehilangan tiga emas dari nomor andalan karena tidak dipertandingkan. Target emas tetap dibebankan enam emas dari nomor-nomor jarak pendek, seperti 100 meter, 200 meter dan estafet.

Tiga peluang emas yang hilang karena tidak dipertandingkan sendiri adalah nomor 50 meter gaya punggung, dada, dan kupu-kupu. Kepala pelatih timnas renang, Hartadi Noertjojo mengatakan, kendati ada pengurangan nomor tapi target tetap tidak akan berubah. Pasalnya, Indonesia menurut dia masih memiliki andalan di nomor lainnya.

"Kalau melihat dari SEA Games 2011 lalu, kita bisa rebut dua emas dan satu perak dari nomor 50 meter tersebut. Tapi, kita tidak akan mengubah apapun. Karena kami percaya diri bisa memenuhi target tersebut, dengan adanya peningkatan performa dari para perenang," imbuhnya saat dihubungi wartawan, Rabu (20/11/2013).

Peningkatan performa para perenang pelatnas SEA Games tersebut, ujarnya terlihat dari hasil Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) 2013. Khususnya untuk Triady Fauzi, yang pada ISG lalu berhasil membukukan tiga emas dari gaya kupu-kupu di nomor 200 meter, 100 meter, dan 50 meter.

Dengan gambaran peningkatan prestasi yang diperoleh pada ISG lalu, maka jelas sektor putra yang mengalami kemajuan yang signifikan dan berpeluang lebih besar menjadi andalan. Sedangkan untuk nomor putri, menurut Hartadi, jika berkaca pada ISG lalu, Singapura dan Malaysia masih menjadi batu sandungan bagi Indonesia.

"Secara rekor, perenang kita memang masih di bawah Singapura dan Malaysia. Tapi ada beberapa nomor-nomor jarak pendek yang bisa kami andalkan untuk emas nanti. Karena untuk menengah dan jauh, dilihat dari ISG saja, masih didominasi dua negara tersebut," ucapnya.

Saat ini pemusatan latihan 22 perenang yang awalnya terpisah sudah mulai sentralisasi sejak 13 November lalu di Seruni, Bogor. Mereka melakukan persiapan akhir jelang keberangkatan menuju Myanmar pada 9 Desember mendatang. (PRLM) 

Kota Bandung sumbang enam perenang SEA Games

Bandung- RENANG - Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat, menjadi daerah terbanyak penyumbang atlet renang SEA Games XXVII/ 2013 setelah enam perenangnya dipastikan berangkat ke Myanmar.

"Enam perenang Kota Bandung terpilih menjadi kekuatan utama tim renang SEA Games 2013, dan daerah terbanyak penyumbang atlet untuk satu cabang," kata Ketua KONI Kota Bandung Aan Johana di Bandung, Jumat.

Keenam atlet andalan Kota Bandung yang juga perenang andalan Jabar adalah Ricky Anggawijaya, Satrio Bagaskara, Ilham, Raina Shaumi Grahana, Ressa Kania Dewi dan Monalisa.

Ia berharap para perenang yang juga mencatat prestasi gemilang pada ajang PON XVIII/2012 dan Asian Youth Games 2012 itu bisa berprestasi di ajang SEA Games 2013.

"Kiprah mereka di SEA Games merupakan keuntungan besar bagi Kota Bandung, mereka mendapatkan pelatihan intensif, dan kami tinggal melakukan persiapan dan pelatihan bagi atlet pelatda," katanya.

Pada babak kualifikasi Porda Jabar yang akan digela 23-24 November 2013, Kota Bandung dipastikan tidak diikuti keenam atlet itu, namun mereka tetap lolos karena memiliki catatan waktu terbaik dan otomatis berlaga di Porda Bekasi.

"Mereka tengah berada di puncak penampilan, sehingga diharapkan mereka bisa memberikan yang terbaik bagi Merah Putih di ajang SEA Games," kata Aan Johana menambahkan. (ANTARA News) 

SWC 2013: Uncontested dominators Hosszu (HUN) and Le Clos (RSA) finish on top

Lausanne (SUI), RENANG, November 14, 2013 – Katinka Hosszu (HUN) and Chad Le Clos (RSA) finished in style at the closing leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup 2013, held at Beijing’s iconic Water Cube from November 13-14, both obtaining their second World Cup crown. A total USD$ 2,218,000 in prize money has been distributed in this year’s edition.

Hosszu garnered an impressive 55 medals (32 gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze) while Le Clos’ tally included 24 gold, 8 silver and 3 bronze for a total 35.

Hosszu and Le Clos were also the best performers in the entire Series: Hosszu’s win in the 200m IM in a World record time of 2:03.20 scored 1034 points in Eindhoven while Le Clos received 1015 points after breaking his own World record in the 200m butterfly, clocking 1:48.56 in Singapore.

The 2013 edition of the World Cup featured record-breaking performances with no less than 23 World records (10 relay and 13 individual), and 33 World Cup records. In all, 83 men and 76 women from 30 nations medalled in this year’s Series.

Moreover, four swimmers produced outstanding performances, remaining unchallenged in their event throughout the eight legs of the Series: Chad Le Clos (RSA) in the men’s 200m butterfly; Roland Schoeman (RSA) in the men’s 50m breaststroke; Katinka Hosszu (HUN) in the women’s 200m IM; and Daryna Zevina (UKR) in the women’s 200m backstroke.

The last stop in Beijing also celebrated the 200th World Cup meet since the launch of the competition in 1989. Those shining at the Water Cube were American Eugene Godsoe sweeping the men’s backstroke events; Australia’s Thomas Fraser-Holmes taking out the men’s 400m IM, 200m and 400m freestyle; and Daniel Gyurta of Hungary touching first in the men’s 100m and 200m breaststroke.

Among women, Spain’s Mireia Belmonte bagged three gold (800m freestyle, 400m IM and 200m butterfly) and one bronze (400m freestyle); Alia Atkinson from Jamaica was victorious in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, also picking up silver in the 100m IM; Australian Alicia Coutts walked away with two gold (100m IM and 100m butterfly) and one silver (200m IM).
 
The top scorer in Beijing among men was Russian Vladimir Morozov with a swift 50.97 in the 100m IM (984 points) while Hosszu’s performance in the 200m IM (2:05.07) earned 988 points.

World Cup #8 Beijing (CHN) Winners Table:

	MEN	WOMEN
50m free	Vladimir Morozov (RUS) 20.91	Cate Campbell (AUS) 23.65
100m free	Vladimir Morozov (RUS) 45.88	Cate Campbell (AUS) 51.59
200m free	Thomas Fraser-Holmes (AUS) 1:43.09	Katinka Hosszu (HUN) 1:53.82
400m free	Thomas Fraser-Holmes (AUS) 3:39.86	Yiwen Shao (CHN) 3:58.92
800m free (W)	-	Mireia Belmonte (ESP) 8:07.59
1500m free (M)	Myles Brown (RSA) 14:41.63	-
50m backstroke	Eugene Godsoe (USA) 23.07	Elizabeth Simmonds (GBR) 26.83
100m backstroke	Eugene Godsoe (USA) 50.15	Emily Seebohm (AUS) 57.22
200m backstroke	Eugene Godsoe (USA) 1:51.29	Daryna Zevina (UKR) 2:01.47
50m breaststroke	Roland Schoeman (RSA) 25.95	Alia Atkinson (JAM) 29.20
100m breaststroke	Daniel Gyurta (HUN) 57.34	Alia Atkinson (JAM) 1:03.81
200m breaststroke	Daniel Gyurta (HUN) 2:03.09	Mio Motegi (JPN) 2:20.23
50m butterfly	Nicholas Santos (BRA) 22.13	Sarah Sjoestroem (SWE) 25.24
100m butterfly	Chad Le Clos (RSA) 49.41	Alicia Coutts (AUS) 56.00
200m butterfly	Chad Le Clos (RSA) 1:51.70	Mireia Belmonte (ESP) 2:04.20
100m ind. medley	Vladimir Morozov (RUS) 50.97	Alicia Coutts (AUS) 58.08
200m ind. medley	Chad Le Clos (RSA) 1:52.60	Katinka Hosszu (HUN) 2:05.34
400m ind. medley	Thomas Fraser-Holmes (AUS) 4:04.05	Mireia Belmonte (ESP) 4:25.23
Mixed 4x50m free	Australia, 1:30.52
Mixed 4x50m medley	Australia, 1:38.23

*World Record
**World Cup Record

Top-6 of the 3rd Cluster:

MEN
1. Chad Le Clos (RSA)	242 pts	USD 50'000
2. Vladimir Morozov (RUS)	174 pts	USD 35'000
3. Thomas Fraser-Holmes (AUS)	108 pts	USD 30'000
4. Robert Hurley (AUS)	105 pts	USD 20'000
5. Daniel Gyurta (HUN)	105 pts	USD 10'000
6. Eugene Godsoe (USA	96 pts	USD 8'000
WOMEN
1. Katinka Hosszu (HUN)	261 pts	USD 50'000
2. Alicia Coutts (AUS)	138 pts	USD 35'000
3. Alia Atkinson (JAM)	114 pts	USD 30'000
4. Sarah Sjoestroem (SWE)	96 pts	USD 20'000
5. Mireia Belmonte (ESP)	93 pts	USD 10'000
6. Yuliya Efimova (RUS)	86 pts	USD 8'000

Top 3 of the World Cup:

MEN
Swimmer	Country	Points	Prize Money
1. Chad Le Clos	RSA	574	USD 100 000
2. Vladimir Morozov	RUS	414	USD 50 000
3. Robert Hurley	AUS	285	USD 30 000
WOMEN
Swimmer	Country	Points	Prize Money
1. Katinka Hosszu	HUN	840	USD 100 000
2. Alia Atkinson	JAM	288	USD 50 000
3. Mireia Belmonte	ESP	280	USD 30 000

SWIMMING WORLD CUP 2013, Beijing Day 1: Hosszu continues to shine at Water Cube on opening night

Zhou Xin, FINA Media Committee Member

13 November 2013

chard le clos

Though no World record or World Cup record was broken, World champion Katinka Hosszu of Hungary still took the spotlight by winning two gold medals and one bronze, out of five race, while Cate Campbell of Australia slammed three titles on Day 1 of the FINA Swimming World Cup 2013 at Beijing's iconic Water Cube on November 13.

Current leader of the overall rankings after seven meets, Hosszu collected her first victory in the 200m freestyle, clocking 1:53.82, while Melanie Costa of Spain and Lauren Boyle of New Zealand came in 1:54.57 and 1:55.20, respectively. Hosszu later celebrated her second gold in the 200m IM in a swift 2:05.34, 2.14 seconds shy of her own World record set in Eindhoven last August. Alicia Coutts of Australia came second in 2:06.23 while Sophie Allen of Britain claimed bronze in 2:06.71.

It was Coutts who stopped Hosszu's unbeaten run first in the 100m butterfly by clocking 56.00. Sarah Sjoestroem of Sweden and Hosszu came second and third, respectively in 56.17 and 57.40. Elizabgeth Simmonds continued to deny Hosszu's title hope in the 50m backstroke, powering home for the win in 26.83. Hosszu placed fifth in 27.11 after China's World runner-up Fu Yuanhui 26.95 and Daryna Zevina of Ukraine, 27.07. Hosszu later finished fourth in the 200m backstroke in 2:06.14 while Zevina took out the event in 2:01.47.

"I'm tired, really tired after I competed in five races. But I'm definitely happy with my two golds and a bronze medal. Tomorrow, I'm assuming to have the five events and I hope to get on more podiums," said Hosszu.

Cate Campbell and Bronte Campbell gave Australia a 1-3 finish in the 50m freestyle, with respective times of 23.65 and 24.13. Francesca Halsall of Britain squeezed to take the silver in 24.04. Cate Campbell also swept the 100m freestyle in 51.31.

Jamaica's Alia Atkinson enjoyed a class of her own in the 100m breaststroke, touching first in 1:03.81. She was followed by Sophie Allen of Britain, 1:05.74, and Liu Xiaoyu of China, 1:06.24. Mirela Belmonte of Spain led the women's 800m freestyle in 8:07.59, beating Lauren Boyle of New Zealand and teammate Melanie Costa, 8:10.47 and 8:18.03, respectively.

Olympic and World champion Chad Le Clos of South Africa bagged another gold in his pet event, the 200m butterfly, posting a swift 1:51.70. He beat Wang Shun of China into second, in a time of 1:51.94. In the 100m freestyle, Le Clos produced a personal best (46.60), well behind pace setter Russian Vladimir Morozov, winner in 45.88.

Morozov later snatched the gold in the 100m individual medley in 50.97, beating George Bovell of Trinidad and Tobago (51.72) and Le Clos (52.14).

"I'm really tired but I'm happy with my 100m freestyle. I really want to know how fast I can swim the freestyle," said Le Clos, current leader of the Series.

Australian Thomas Fraser-Holmes showed his worth in middle distance again, winning the 400m individual medley in 4:04.05 and 400m freestyle in 3:39.86. 

In other men's events, Daniel Gyurta of Hungary topped the 200m breaststroke (2:03.09); Eugene Godsoe from the USA took out the 100m backstroke (50:15) and Roland Schoeman of South Africa lifted the title in the 50m breaststroke (25.95).

Composed by Robert Hurley, Christian Sprenger, Alicia Coutts and Cate Campbell, the Australia team never looked back in the mixed 4x50m medley relay, touching home in 1:38.23, 0.39 slower than the World record they set in Tokyo at the previous stop. China rallied to finish second in 1:39.55 thanks to a 25.28 butterfly split from Lu Ying and a 20.59 freestyle split from young star Ning Zetao. Brazil completed the podium in 1:42.07.

"It's a big blow for all of us. Coming up few days with meets, we've been swimming pretty well. I think we all know it is a hard event and we thought we could be faster. We planned to break the World record again, but it's OK. We'll try tomorrow," Hurley said.

BEST PERFORMERS AFTER DAY 1

Men
1. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS): 50.97 - 984 pts - 100m IM
2. SANTOS Nicholas (BRA): 22.13 - 955 pts - 50m fly
3. GYURTA Daniel (HUN): 2:03.09 - 942 pts - 200m breast
3. BOVELL George (TRI): 51.72 - 942 pts - 100m IM

Women
1. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN): 2:05.07 - 988 pts - 200m IM
2. ZEVINA Daryna (UKR): 2:01.47 - 964 pts - 200m back
3. COUTTS Alicia (AUS): 2:06.23 - 961 pts - 200m IM

SWIMMING WORLD CUP 2013 : Tokyo Day 2: Three world records close the show in Tokyo (JPN)

Zhou Xin, FINA Media Committee Member

RENANG-Russian Yulia Efimova and Australians shot two World records at the FINA Swimming World Cup series in Tokyo (JPN) here on Sunday as Efimova renewed the women's 50m breaststroke and the Aussie team the mixed 4x50m freestyle relay.

Efimova breezed to win the sprint breaststroke in 28.71 seconds, 0.09 faster than the previous mark set by Jessica Hardy of the United States in 2009. Alia Atkinson of Jamaica took the silver in 29.06.

"The time surprised me! But I had very hard practice since I returned to training about one month ago. Yesterday I swam 28.61 in the medley. I thought I could do it in the relay, I did it here", said Efimova who later claimed the title in the 200m breaststroke (2:17.37).

Composed by Tomaso D'Orsogna, Travis Mahoney, Cate Campbell and Bronte Campbell, the Australian team set a new World in the mixed 4x50m freestyle relay in 1:29.61 (after having lowered it also in the heats, with a 1:31.13 effort). "It is always great to swim in a relay. It is exciting to swim together with teammates and stand on the top of the podium together", Mahoney said.

Hungarian World champion Katinka Hosszu chopped her first victory in the women's 400m individual medley in 4:25.97, followed by Mireia Belmonte of Spain (4:26.92) and Miyu Otsuka of Japan (4:29.53).

Hosszu continued her winning streak in the 200m butterfly (2:04.03), followed by Yai Watanabe of Japan (2:04.67) and Germany's Franziska Hentke (2:04.97). Hosszu snatched her third gold in the 100m individual medley, sharing the title with Alicia Coutts of Australia in 57.53.  

"My goal is to swim more than one event, I want to see how many times I can stand on top of the podium", said the so-called Iron Lady. "I think I am pretty strong and tough, so it feels good that people recognise how hard I work. It makes me feel good and I am trying to keep in mind to be tough as an Iron woman. I don't feel that tired though I am not fresh since I have been racing full day. I am feeling good."

Hosszu swam 31.12 and placed sixth in the 50m breaststroke heat in the morning, however she withdrew from the final where Efimova broke the World record. "I am happy with my breaststroke performance, because breaststroke is my weakest stroke and I broke the Hungarian national record", Hosszu said.

Hosszu was awarded the Best Female Swimmer at Tokyo while her teammate Daniel Gyurta the Best Male after he finished second in the 100m breaststroke in 57.37. Christian Sprenger of Australia topped the event in 57.14.

"My time in the last leg was 58, and here in Tokyo I swim in 57. Hopefully next stop in Beijing I will break my own World record", Gyurta said.

Kosuke Hagino of Japan was the most welcome swimmer to the local fans as he dominated the men's 1500m freestyle from start to finish, winning in 14:32.88, while Olympic champion Oussama Mellouli (TUN) was second in 14:38.09 and Gergely Gyurta of Hungary third in 14:39.06.

Hagino later broke the World Cup record (1:51.50) in the 200m individual medley, beating Chad Le Clos of South Africa (second in 1:52.31) and Wang Shun of China (1:52.82).
  
Le Clos secured his gold in the men's 100m butterfly in 49.01, ahead of American Thomas Shield (49.49) and Japanese Kohei Kawamoto (50.03).
  
In other events, Cate Campbell won the  women's 100m freestyle in 51.31; Lauren Boyle of New Zealand led the women's 400m freestyle in 3:57.68; Vladimir Morozov of Russia wrapped up victory in the men's 50m freestyle in 20.72; Thomas Fraser-Holmes and Robert Hurley gave Australia a one-two finish in the men's 200m freestyle in 1:42.56 and 1:43.12; Eugene Godsoe of the United States took the men's 50m backstroke in 23.07; Kaneko Masaki of Japan edged Mitchell Larkin of Australia in the men's 200m backstroke in 1:49.76 and 1:49.89 respectively; Sarah Sjoestroem of Sweden prevailed in the women's 50m butterfly in 24.91.

The FINA Swimming World Cup will come to Beijing on November 13-14 for the last stop of the series.

THE BEST PERFORMERS IN TOKYO

Men
1. GYURTA Daniel (HUN): 2:01.30 - 984 pts - 200m breast
2. LE CLOS Chad (RSA): 1:50.33 - 967 pts - 200m fly
3. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS): 45.65 - 954 pts - 100m free

Women
1. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN): 57.53 - 1010 pts - 100m IM
1. COUTTS Alicia (AUS): 57.53 - 1010 pts - 100m IM
3. EFIMOVA Yulia (RUS): 28.71 - 1009 pts - 50m breast

Provisional leaders of the World Cup after the 7th meet:

Men
1. LE CLOS Chad (RSA) - 511 pts
2. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS) - 345 pts
3. HURLEY Robert (AUS) - 252 pts

Women
1. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN) - 759 pts
2. ATKINSON Alia (JAM) - 255 pts
3. BELMONTE Mireia (ESP) - 238 pts

SWIMMING WORLD CUP 2013, Tokyo Day 1: Australia improves mixed medley relay WR

Zhou Xin, FINA Media Committee Member

RENANG-Robert Hurley, Christian Sprenger, Alicia Coutts and Cate Campbell of Australia improved their own World record in the mixed 4X50 metres medley relay during the seventh leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup here in Tokyo, Japan, from November 9-10, while South African star Chad Le Clos lifted three titles. The Aussie quartet touched the wall in 1:37.84, eclipsing the previous World record of 1:38.02 set at the Singapore leg four days ago.

"It's great to break the World record again. I am excited to share the podium with my younger sister Bronte. We two just finished a one-two in Singapore, so we did it here in Tokyo. Hopefully we can repeat that feat in Beijing", said Cate Campbell who won the women's 50m freestyle in 23.47 while Bronte Campbell and Dorothea Brandt of Germany both tied for silvers in 23.91.

South African Chad Le Clos surged back in freestyle to lift the title in the men's 400m individual medley in 3:59.23, beating Fraser-Holmes of Australia in 3:59.52 and Daiya Seto of Japan 4:00.72.

Le Clos added his second gold in the 200m butterfly by a strong comeback in the last 50m in 1:50.33 and third title in 50m butterfly in 22:26 while Nicholas Santos of Brazil came to second 22.33 and Roland Schoeman of South Africa 22.46.

"It is tough, but it is also a fun competition programme. All I need to do is to keep some energy for tomorrow's events and the next leg in Beijing. Maybe I will break a World record, probably in my favourite butterfly. Let's see it", Le Clos said.

Katinka Hosszu of Hungary claimed victory in the women's 200m freestyle in 1:53.12 and 200m individual medley in 2:04.52. She finished fourth in the 100m butterfly in 56.24 and seventh in the 50m backstroke (27.18) while Etiene Medeiros of Brazil sealed the victory in 26.61.

"I am happy with my performance today, especially in the 200 IM. I was able to go under the previous record. It was a great result after so many events. It gave me confidence about the future", Hosszu said.

Alicia Coutts of Australia won the 100m butterfly in 55.30, beating Katou Yuka of Japan and Sarah Sjoestroem of Sweden in 56.09 and 56.14.

Kosuke Hagino of Japan snatched the mens' 100m medley gold in 51:58, followed by George Bovell of Trinidad and Tobago in 51.65 and Vladimir Morozov of Russia (51.98).

"I swam faster than my expectation, maybe it was because my breaststroke is getting better", said Hagino who finished second behind Chad Le Clos in the 200m butterfly. "I tried to be as aggressive as possible in the first 100m, but in the last 50m, my touch of water was not good. I was disappointed about that", Hagino said.

In other men's events, Vladimir Morozov of Russia took the 50m freestyle in 45.65; Gyurta of Hungary snatched gold in the 200m breaststroke (2:01.30) with a World Cup record; Eugene Godsoe (USA) won the 100m backstroke in 49.87 while South Africa's Roland Schoeman clinched the title in the 50m breaststroke (26.12).

Lauren Boyle of New Zealand won the women's 800m freestyle in 8:06.15, ahead of Mireia Belmonte of Spain 8:08.40. Alia Atkinson of Jamaica edged Yulia Efimova of Russia in the 50m breaststroke in 1:02.99; Etiene Medeiros of Brazil took victory in the 50m backstroke in 26.61 while Daryna Zevina of Ukraine topped the 200m backstroke in 2:01.70

BEST PERFORMERS AFTER DAY 1

Men
1. GYURTA Daniel (HUN): 2:01.30 - 984 pts - 200m breast 
2. LE CLOS Chad (RSA): 1:50.33 - 967 pts - 200m fly
3. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS): 45.65 - 954 pts - 100m free   

Women
1. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN): 2:04.52 - 1001 pts - 200m IM
2. COUTTS Alicia (AUS): 55.30 - 986 pts - 100m fly
3. ATKINSON Alia (JAM): 1:02.99 - 986 pts - 100m breast

SWIMMING WORLD CUP 2013, Singapore Day 2: Le Clos and Atkinson best swimmers in Singapore

Russell McKinnon, FINA Media Committee Member

South African Chad Le Clos and Jamaican Alia Atkinson emerged the leading swimmers at the Singapore leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup at the Singapore Sports School on Wednesday, November 6.

Le Clos claimed five gold medals and a world record, including three golds on the final night. His 1015 points on night one, when eclipsing his 200m butterfly world mark, was the meet’s best by far.

Atkinson took the shine off the Katinka Hosszu (HUN) caravan by swimming the second fastest 50m breaststroke of the year and bettering her personal best for a score of 985 points.

However, Hosszu was the most medalled woman with five golds and two silvers, only missing the podium in one race — the 50m butterfly — in her final event.

Le Clos opened his medal haul with a 200m freestyle victory, using lane three to head off Australian Thomas Fraser-Holmes in lane seven. Le Clos touched in 1:42.29 in a race that had early splits close to world-record time. Fraser-Holmes and Le Clos jumped at the same time, leaving early leaders Regan Leong (AUS) and Myles Brown (RSA) out of the placings, but having done their job of taking the finalists out at a fast clip. Third-placed Robert Hurley (AUS), who swam 1:43.44, won this event in Dubai.

"Last night was probably the best night I’ve had in short course, while tonight was more about racing against good competitors to see where I’m at. I hope to take part in the freestyle events in 2016 (Olympics) and will train to be the best in that in addition to the butterfly. At the end of the day when I hang up my swimming goggles, I want to know that I did my best in everything," said Chad Le Clos.

Le Clos withstood a spirited challenge from Konrad Czerniak (POL) in lane two to win the 100m butterfly — his fourth series win — touching in 50.04, five hundredths clear of Czerniak and Australian Tommaso D’Orsogna (50.86).

There was no doubt about adding a fifth gold in the 200m IM, finishing in 1:53.36 over Fraser-Holmes — who claimed a gold and three silvers from the meet — and Brazilian Henrique Rodrigues. It was Le Clos’ fourth win in the event this year.

Atkinson gained an edge over Barcelona world champion Iuliia Efimova (RUS), winning the 50m breaststroke in 28.94, just 0.14 outside Jessica Hardy’s world mark set in 2009. Both swimmers went into the race with two wins apiece this year. It improved her personal best of 29.21 set in Berlin and gave her top points in Singapore. She also won gold in the 100m breaststroke on the first night and a bronze in the 100m IM tonight.

"This is the first time I’m competing in every single meet in the series. I always hope to improve my timing from the first to the third leg in each cluster, so I’m very happy with the timings I’ve clocked in this first leg and hope to continue improving at Tokyo and then Beijing. I’m a big fan of the Asian cluster and I’ll definitely want to be back, especially in Singapore and Japan - the atmosphere makes it a great place to be," said Atkinson.

Hosszu’s opening swim of the night, the 400m IM, registered 4:27.60, and was nearly seven seconds off her Berlin world-record pace. She seemed to tire over the freestyle leg as Britain’s Hannah Miley (4:28.75) and Spain’s Mireia Belmonte (4:28.90) hunted her down. However, it was good enough for a sixth straight 400m IM victory.

"It wasn’t my goal and I’m not disappointed that I didn’t break any records during this time in Singapore. After all, I did take part in 11 events and it would have been surprising if I did break a record! I'm very happy about leading this leg and I feel great moving on to the others," said Hosszu.

She won the 100m backstroke over Australia’s Emily Seebohm, was out-touched for gold by German Franziska Hentke in the 200m butterfly after winning the previous five editions, and had a rapid start to the 50m butterfly, but fatigue set in and she finished last.

In the splash-for-cash 50m freestyle, Vladimir Morozov gained his fifth win of the series with a decisive victory in 20.78 over George Bovell (TRI) and Anthony Ervin (USA). He was first off the blocks and never looked threatened, even with fourth-placed world record holder Roland Schoeman (RSA) on his shoulder.

"It feels good to win. I always aim and hope to win, but I admit that I’m not very happy with the time I’ve clocked. I think it is the slowest I’ve got this World Cup," said Morozov.

The other United States swimmer, Eugene Godsoe, took a clean sweep of the men’s backstroke events, with the 50m and 200m races tonight.

Such was the strength of the 100m men’s breaststroke field that Barcelona world champion Christian Sprenger (AUS) missed the cut, only notching the ninth best time — a big come-down from the previous day when he was involved in both mixed relay world records. Gold went to Hungary’s Gergely Gyurta, ahead of Morozov and Brazil’s Felipe Lima. Morozov also collected three gold medals in Singapore.

Australian Cate Campbell, 100m freestyle champion in Barcelona, held out a fast-finishing Moscow winner, Sarah Sjoestrom, winning in a smart 51.67. Sjoestrom denied Emma McKeon (AUS) the silver by 0.07.

New Zealand’s sole representative, Lauren Boyle, completed the 400m-800m freestyle double when beating Moscow, Doha and Dubai winner Melanie Costa (ESP) and her team-mate, world record holder Mireia Belmonte.

South African Myles Brown claimed his third 1500m freestyle gold medal of the series with a 14:56.94 win over Gyurta (14:58.43) by jumping out of Gyurta’s shadow at the 1400m.

In the 4x50m mixed freestyle relay, Brazil shook France’s world record with a speedy 1:31.20, just six one hundredths shy.

THE BEST PERFORMERS IN SINGAPORE

Men
1. LE CLOS Chad (RSA): 1:48.56 - 1015 pts - 200m fly
2. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS): 51.36 - 962 pts - 100m IM
3. GYURTA Daniel (HUN): 2:02.62 - 953 pts - 200m breast

Women
1. ATKINSON Alia (JAM): 28.94 - 985 pts - 50m breast
2. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN): 2:05.33 - 982 pts - 200m IM
3. COUTTS Alicia (AUS): 58.32 - 970 pts - 100 IM 

PROVISIONAL LEADERS OF THE OVERALL RANKING (after Singapore)

Men
1. LE CLOS Chad (RSA) - 436 points
2. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS) - 303 points
3. HURLEY Robert (AUS) - 216 points

Women
1. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN) - 675 points
2. ATKINSON Alia (JAM) - 228 points
3. BELMONTE Mireia (ESP) - 214 points

SWIMMING WORLD CUP 2013. Singapore Day 1: Three world records kick off Singapore leg in style

Mixed 4x50m Medley

RENANG. Three key elements came together to enthuse the Singapore crowd on day one of the third and final cluster of the FINA Swimming World Cup at the Singapore Sports School on Tuesday, November 5.

The much-hyped Chad Le Clos from South Africa and Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu were the main drawcards, and they did not disappoint with two golds each, on what was a world-record-breaking day where the 4x50m Australian mixed medley relay twice went under France’s mark.

As the thunder and lightning split the skies and heavy rain poured, Le Clos broke the 200m butterfly world record, eclipsing his August 7 record set in Eindhoven. Le Clos was 0.2 under world-record pace at the 50m, 0.49 at the halfway mark and 0.5 at the 150m. His time of 1:48.56 was 0.48 under that Eindhoven time.

He won from lane two with Poland’s Pawel Korzeniowski second in 1:53.59 and Japan’s Yuki Kobori was third from lane one, obviously dragged through by Le Clos, but two seconds further down.

He also touched out countryman Roland Schoeman in the 50m butterfly to be the only double gold medallist for men.

“It’s a great day for me not just because of the world record, but the 50m fly as well. It’s good for me coming off of a lay-off since the World Championships so I’m really excited. Tonight’s crowd has been fantastic, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow, especially for the freestyle events, because I know it’s going to be very tough,” Le Clos said.

Le Clos is no stranger to Singapore, probably gaining his international spurs here when collecting five medals — one gold, three silver and one bronze — at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

Earlier in the day, Australia won both heats of the 4x50m mixed medley relay in the morning session with the No 1 team stunning departing spectators with a world record in the second heat.

Robert Hurley opened with the backstroke, world 100m breaststroke champion Christian Sprenger and five-times Barcelona silver medallist Alicia Coutts (butterfly) handed over to world 100m freestyle champion Cate Campbell to bring home the record.

The time of 1:39.08 bettered France’s record of 1:39.54 set in the Doha leg on October 20.

This was followed up in the evening with a second world record by the same quartet, finishing in 1:38.02. The splits under the world mark were 0.34, 0.44, and 0.66 to finish in 1:38.02.

Hosszu out-touched Australia Alicia Coutts, who led until the final centimetres, in the 100m butterfly in a sedate 56.58 ahead of Coutts’ 56.67 and a gap to Moscow winner Sarah Sjoestroem (SWE) — 57.52.

World champion Hosszu picked up her second gold of the evening in the 200m IM, two seconds off her Eindhoven world record with Australians Emily Seebohm second and Alicia Coutts third.

“I’m actually not too pleased with my performance and am really tired now, but I give my best for all my events. It is paying off for me. So although it tires me, the results give me confidence to go further,” Hosszu said.

Emma McKeon rained on Hosszu’s parade in her first swim of the night with an all-the-way win in the 200m freestyle, touching in 1:52.40 to Hosszu’s 1:52.63.

It was six from six for unbeatable South African veteran Roland Schoeman in the 50m breaststroke, stretching the field from the opening dive and easily holding out Australia’s 100m Barcelona world champion Christian Sprenger. Schoeman’s time of 25.68 was 0.43 outside countryman Cameron van den Burgh’s world record set in 2009.

Ukraine’s Daryna Zevina was another to score her sixth successive victory in an event this year — the 200m backstroke, finishing in 2:02.32.

Russia’s Vladimir Morozov made it five golds from the six races so far this series in the 100m freestyle, blasting off the block and finishing in a smart 45.67, just 0.21 off the World Cup mark set in 2009. The United States’ Anthony Ervin was second in 46.48 and fastest qualifier Tommaso D’Orsogna (AUS) was third in 47.06.

Morozov was equally as swift in the 100m IM, coming home in 51.36, just 0.65 off Ryan Lochte’s 2012 record set in Istanbul.

Jamaican Alia Atkinson notched her fourth win of the series in the 100m breaststroke and had a body length after 50m, cruising to the wall in 1:03.48, more than a second outside Ruta Meilutyte’s record set in Moscow last month.

Women’s 50m freestyle winner Cate Campbell (AUS) said: “I’m very happy. I came here to do some fast racing and I’m very glad that I’m doing that. I’m very happy with tonight’s swim.”

After setting a new Australian record in the heats, Cate Campbell took her foot off the pedal slightly in tonight’s final, but still managed to pick up the gold ahead of younger sister Bronte. Cate’s qualifying time of 23.73 was a new record by just 0.01 of a second, before she backed up to finish in 23.85 tonight.

There are a record 281 entrants for Singapore with 162 males and 119 female swimmers, an increase of 25 percent on last year.

It is the seventh time that Singapore has hosted the World Cup and comes a day after the signing of a new four-year deal for the State city and the last time it will be held at the Sports School, moving next year to the new $1.3 billion-dollar sports facility closer to the city centre.

The event has attracted huge media interest among television and newspapers today with Le Clos and Hosszu figuring on the entire back page of the broadsheet Strait Times; and huge coverage in the tabloids The New Paper and Today. The Chinese-language Lianhe Zaobao broadsheet led its sports page on Le Clos.

BEST PERFORMERS AFTER DAY 1

Men
1. LE CLOS Chad (RSA): 1:48.56 - 1015 pts - 200m fly
2. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS): 51.36 - 962 pts - 100m IM
3. GYURTA Daniel (HUN): 2:02.62 - 953 pts - 200m breast

Women
1. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN): 2:05.33 - 982 pts - 200m IM
2. MCKEON Emma (AUS): 1:52.40 - 967 pts - 200m free
3. ATKINSON Alia (JAM): 1:03.48 - 963 pts - 100m breast