5 Things We Learned from Day 6 of the #kazan2015 #swimming
Great Britain Stuns America in the 800-m Free Relay
As I wrote yesterday, the American men looked for their first relay Gold Medal in the 800-m freestyle relay. This team was lead by Ryan Lochte, who brought the American men their first individual Gold Medal in the 200-m medley relay. However, the British team had other plan, anchoring their top swimmer swim last on the relay. Now, you can argue both strategies, but it worked for the UK, as Guy caught American Michael Weiss by over two seconds!
You've got to hand it to the British swimmers, they won, the United States didn't lose this race. More evidence for the United Kingdom coming on strong on the world swimming scene.
Nathan Adrian Still has It!
Now, no one thought Nathan Adrian lost it, but many Americans were worried after a disappointing 7th place finish in the men 100-m freestyle. This evening, Nathan Adrian bounced back in the 50-m with an American Record in the 50-m free with a blistering 21.37 seconds! Adrian won't have a cake walk in the finals, as defending Gold Medalist Florent Manaudou of France was on his heels with 21.41 seconds.
Get ready for some fast swimming, even without the World Record holder (Cesar Cielo) sitting out due to a shoulder injury.
Leading Larkin
Mitchell Larkin of Australia won the 200-m backstroke by approximately one second, showing he is the current leader in the backstroke events. Now, we'll find out later in the competition if he can become the champion in the 50-m, his weakest of the three backstroke distances. It may take a World Record for the title, but with his performances thus far, it shouldn't surprise anyone!
Three's a Crowd
In swimming, ties are common. For example, in the men's 50-m freestyle, less than a second separates all eight finalists. However, in the 200-m breaststroke, we don't expect many ties, especially a three-way tie! This evening, there was a special finish, where three women tied for third, with a 2:22.76! This tie highlights the randomness of sport and how a small margin separates the top swimmers.
About two years ago, Jacco Verhaeren, an esteemed sprint coach in the Nederlands was named the Swimming Australia head coach. At the time, the hire went under the radar for many "Olympic" swimming fans. However, his influence seems clear as the Campbell sisters got Gold and Bronze in the women's 100-m freestyle. On top of this, the Australian women won the 400-m freestyle relay on the first day of competition and more importantly now lead the Gold Medal count.
One could argue the Australian men aren't having the same effect, but this is a tough assessment with their top sprinter sitting out of the competition due to injury. We'll see how this move pays off over the rest of this competition and more importantly in the Rio Olympics, but it seems to be working at the moment.
As day 6 concludes at the 2015 FINA World Swimming Championships in Kazan, Russia we must be appreciative of the great competition. All these athletes are putting their heart, sweat, and tears into each race over a grueling 8 day competition.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for updates from day 7 and keep your fingers crossed for more World Records
Keep Swimming Fast!
As I wrote yesterday, the American men looked for their first relay Gold Medal in the 800-m freestyle relay. This team was lead by Ryan Lochte, who brought the American men their first individual Gold Medal in the 200-m medley relay. However, the British team had other plan, anchoring their top swimmer swim last on the relay. Now, you can argue both strategies, but it worked for the UK, as Guy caught American Michael Weiss by over two seconds!
You've got to hand it to the British swimmers, they won, the United States didn't lose this race. More evidence for the United Kingdom coming on strong on the world swimming scene.
Nathan Adrian Still has It!
Now, no one thought Nathan Adrian lost it, but many Americans were worried after a disappointing 7th place finish in the men 100-m freestyle. This evening, Nathan Adrian bounced back in the 50-m with an American Record in the 50-m free with a blistering 21.37 seconds! Adrian won't have a cake walk in the finals, as defending Gold Medalist Florent Manaudou of France was on his heels with 21.41 seconds.
Get ready for some fast swimming, even without the World Record holder (Cesar Cielo) sitting out due to a shoulder injury.
Leading Larkin
Mitchell Larkin of Australia won the 200-m backstroke by approximately one second, showing he is the current leader in the backstroke events. Now, we'll find out later in the competition if he can become the champion in the 50-m, his weakest of the three backstroke distances. It may take a World Record for the title, but with his performances thus far, it shouldn't surprise anyone!
Three's a Crowd
In swimming, ties are common. For example, in the men's 50-m freestyle, less than a second separates all eight finalists. However, in the 200-m breaststroke, we don't expect many ties, especially a three-way tie! This evening, there was a special finish, where three women tied for third, with a 2:22.76! This tie highlights the randomness of sport and how a small margin separates the top swimmers.
About two years ago, Jacco Verhaeren, an esteemed sprint coach in the Nederlands was named the Swimming Australia head coach. At the time, the hire went under the radar for many "Olympic" swimming fans. However, his influence seems clear as the Campbell sisters got Gold and Bronze in the women's 100-m freestyle. On top of this, the Australian women won the 400-m freestyle relay on the first day of competition and more importantly now lead the Gold Medal count.
One could argue the Australian men aren't having the same effect, but this is a tough assessment with their top sprinter sitting out of the competition due to injury. We'll see how this move pays off over the rest of this competition and more importantly in the Rio Olympics, but it seems to be working at the moment.
As day 6 concludes at the 2015 FINA World Swimming Championships in Kazan, Russia we must be appreciative of the great competition. All these athletes are putting their heart, sweat, and tears into each race over a grueling 8 day competition.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for updates from day 7 and keep your fingers crossed for more World Records
Keep Swimming Fast!