The top swimmers didn’t disappoint on day 1 of the inaugural leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup taking place in the Kazan (RUS) Aquatics Palace in a 50m-pool. Two World Cup records were beaten in the evening session.

Last year’s winner of the overall ranking, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) triumphed in the women’s 50 m free, clocking 23.83 and earning 979 points. Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) touched second in 24.55, while her compatriot Femke Heemskerk placed third (24.64). 

On her result, Sjostrom commented: “I’m very happy with this time. I felt really strong on the 50m free and I’m pleased with that. Three weeks ago, I did the European Championships. So I had three weeks of recovery with easy training. That’s why I didn’t know what to expect from myself. But it’s a very good time”.
 


Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), on the right

As for Vladimir Morozov (RUS), he registered a clear win in 21.49 (921 points) over Michael Andrew (USA) and Andrii Govorov (UKR) with 21.99 and 22.03 respectively, in the men’s 50m free. Actually, this is the first long course victory in an individual event for Morozov since 2014. Nevertheless, he was more delighted with the result itself. 

“This is very close to my personal best. It’s nice to start the season with a good race and a good win, notwithstanding the fact that I arrived from USA only three days ago. I feel like it’s 7 am. It’s interesting to see how the 100m free will be going tomorrow”, Morozov admitted.

However, the “Iron Lady” from Hungary, Katinka Hosszu, was the most decorated athlete of the evening. Hosszu grabbed two gold and one silver medal. In the 200m fly, it was a hard-fought race between Katinka and her teammate Zsuszanna Jakabos. Hosszu emerged victorious in 2:08.93. Jakabos was second in 2:09.13. Lada Bragina (RUS) finished third, well behind (2:18.88).


Katinka Hosszu (HUN)

Among men, it was a close finish in the 100m breaststroke, with Anton Chupkov (RUS) prevailing in 59.53 and Felipe Lima (BRA), who was the leader after the first 50m, earning silver (59.73). Arno Kamminga (NED) closed the podium in 59.99. The home crowd was nervous watching the race.  

Anton, on the contrary, was calm: to swim a powerful last 50 – his tactics. “As of today, the result is OK. I didn’t have a rest after the European Championships. I took part in the Military Games in Russia and then had some training for the World Cup. I’m a little bit tired. Yet I’m going to compete at all WC stages to improve my technique, to work on starts and turns that are important for short course”, Chupkov said.

In the men’s 100m fly we didn’t see the reigning World Cup winner Chad Le Clos (RSA) on top of the podium. He touched second in 52.00 sharing the silver medal with Egor Kuimov from Russia. Michael Andrew (USA) took gold, clocking 51.96. 

Le Clos didn’t look disappointed. “My season finished quite early - at the Commonwealth Games in April. Then, I started training for the upcoming short course World Championships and for the Olympic Games. A lot of hard work, I’m excited to see what happens. This is my first competition since April in long course”, he confessed.

Rankings after Kazan Day 1: 

MEN

1. ANDREW Michael (USA) 21 pts
2. CHUPKOV Anton (RUS) 12
2. LARKIN Mitchell (AUS) 12
2. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS) 12
2. POTAPOV Iaroslav (RUS) 12

WOMEN

1. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN) 33 pts
2. JAKABOS Zsuzsanna (HUN) 18
3. SIMONOVA Vitalina (RUS) 12
3. SJÖSTRÖM Sarah (SWE) 12
3. TOUSSAINT Kira (NED) 12