With no surprise Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu maintained the form which saw her win four events on Day 1 in Dubai at the fourth leg of the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup and allowed her to win another five races on Day 2. Over the two-day competition (October 4-5) the athlete brought back home 12 medals, 9 of which are gold (4 on Day 1, 5 on Day 2) as well as four silver medals.
In addition to Hosszu’s exploits in Dubai, Zsuzsanna Jakabos (HUN) was in great shape and added to the country’s pride with four silver medals as well as one bronze. Gergely Guyrta also gave Hungary a medal, a bronze one in the 1500m.
As a consequence Hungary was the most decorated nation at this meet (19 medals in total), while Russia (6 golds, 4 silver and 2 bronze) and South Africa follow with Chad Le Clos’ 3 golds and silver medal, Myles Brown’s two golds, Roland Shoeman’s silver. The latter team also grabbed a last silver medal in the relay event.
Medals by NF
- Hungary 19
- Russia 12
- South Africa 9
Women’s races
Today’s finals kicked-off with the women’s 100m free in which Denmark’s Jeanette Ottesen won by clocking 51.77 which proved enough to beat Katinka Hosszu and Brittany Elmslie (AUS). Ottesen becomes the first woman to win the 100m free event in five consecutive meets since Inge Dekker (NED) who won five on the trot in 2014.
The 50m fly race was won also by champion Ottesen in 25.16, while Hosszu ended up second in front of Atkinson (JAM).
The “Iron Lady” however showcased her remarkable endurance at the Hamdan Sports Complex later in the evening to secure a win in the 100m back in 56.56. Daryna Zevina (UKR) and Cheng Haihua (CHN) completed the podium.
Additionally Hosszu claimed gold in the following events: 200m fly (2:05.62), 400m free (fifth time in a row, a feat no swimmer accomplished in this century), 100m IM (1:07.43), remaining unbeaten as of today and finally rounded the night off with an incredible 33rd win in the 400m IM.
Fun fact: despite skipping the 200m fly event in the last six World Cup meets, Hosszu, the record holder, still managed to get her crown back, leaving not chance to the other Hungarian of the race Zsuzsanna Jakabos and Madeline Groves (AUS).
Alia Atkinson from Jamaica triumphed in the 50m breast in 29.02, while Yulia Efimova (RUS) came through to seal silver in 29.27 and USA’s Katie Meili bronze. Atkinson claimed her 20th gold medal in this event, by far most of all swimmers in this century. This was Atkinson’s third straight 50m breaststroke gold here in Dubai. The Jamaican however took silver in the 100m IM (58.55).
Rie Kaneto gave Japan the first and unique gold medal of the female competition with a victory in the 200m breast.
Men’s races
Myles Brown grabbed the first men’s gold medal at stake on Day 2 in the 200m free (1:43.11), giving South Africa a third gold medal and then a fifth one with a win in the 1500m in 14:46.49.
Fresh from securing two victories last night and repeating his Beijing success, Vladimir Morozov (RUS) topped the 100m breast in 56.52, defeating serious opponents Felipe Lima of Brazil (57.01) and Japan’s Dayia Seto (57.61).
World Cup most successful male swimmer Chad Le Clos (RSA) posted a time of 49.14 in the 100m fly to oust Takeshi Kawamoto (JPN) and Pavel Sankovich (BLR), silver and bronze medallists respectively. Le Clos won all four 100m butterfly events so far this season.
Le Clos also took part in the 50m free race in which he took silver, while Morozov clocked the best time in 20.88 seconds. Great Britain’s Proud completed the podium.
In the 50m back race, Australia’s Bobby Hurley (23.33) stepped on the first step of the podium. Pavel Sankovich (BLR), who was second this time, had won this event in the last three meets. This was Hurley’s second gold at this meet after yesterday’s 400m free success.
Hurley’s maintained the winning pace by clocking the best time in the 200m back on Day 2 in 1:52.53.
Japan’s Daiya Seto was the best in the 200m IM (1:52.41) narrowly beating Germany’s Philip Heintz and Josh Prenot (USA). Seto collected his sixth gold medal in this event at the World Cup tonight. Heintz had won the three first races of the season, while a Chinese athlete, Wang Shun took gold in the fourth one (Beijing).
Relay
Russia won the team relay in 1:33.37. Australia was second and South Africa third.
Alia Atkinson (JAM) and Vladimir Morozov (RUS) are the best athletes of the Dubai meet with both coincidently 997 points.
Action at the Dubai leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup has now concluded and the competition resumes on Saturday October 8 in Doha (QAT) for the final leg of Cluster #2.
SEE ALL RESULTS HERE