The newsmakers of Day 1 at the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup series 2016 in Moscow (RUS) collected even more gold medals on the final day of the competition. After three victories on the starting day, Katinka Hosszu (HUN) also made four successful races in the second and last evening. In the 100m back she finally overcame Daryna Zevina (UKR), who was the winner of the 50m and 200m back yesterday. Hosszu concluded the race in 56.08, ahead of Zevina, second (56.74), and Emily Seebohm (AUS), third (57.02).
Besides that, the “Iron Lady” dominated on 400m free (4:01.20), 100m (57.76) and 400m IM (4:28.32).
Yulia Efimova (RUS) gain small revenge by beating Rie Kaneto (JPN) on the 200m breaststroke. Looking back, Kaneto was the winner of the Olympic gold on this distance. Efimova was second in Rio.
In the short course, Efimova touched first, clocking 2:16.54. Kaneto took the silver medal (2:17.62) while her compatriot Miho Takahashi placed third (2:19.31).
On her further plans, Efimova told: “I need these World Cup races to get in shape. In Berlin I performed better than in Chartres, in Moscow I have better results than in Berlin. So through these competitions I try to get ready for the World Championships. I will swim all breaststroke races there and perhaps the 200m IM as well. For now I’m satisfied with the results on this distance. I’m working on the turns. It can help to improve the timing”.
Among men it was a close finish in the 50m free, with Vladimir Morozov of Russia prevailing in 20.98, Chad Le Clos (RSA) touching second in 21.05 and Andrii Govorov (UKR) securing bronze (21.29).
On his ambition for the 2016 circuit World Cup, Vladimir Morozov commented: “My main goal is to win the overall ranking of the Word Cup. In 2013, I was the runner-up after Le Clos. Now I’m in the lead with some advantage. But Chad has a great potential. He is able to beat his fly records. So I need to break my World record on 100m IM at least once or twice to strengthen my first position”.
“The short course World Championships in Windsor are also very important for me. I would like to get back my titles on 50m and 100m free and to win the 100m IM,” the Russian added.
Jeanette Ottesen (DEN), with four victories, was also among the multi-champions of the Moscow leg of the FINA World Cup. She prevailed in the 50m (25.02) and 100m fly (55.80), 50m (23.95) and 100m free (51.75).
“I’m very happy to win four gold medals at the third SWC stage. Every stage is more important than the previous one. Now my main goal is to continue and improve my own results,” Ottesen said.
Yulia Efimova (RUS) and Chad Le Clos (RSA) were honoured as best swimmers of the meet. Katinka Hosszu (HUN) and Vladimir Morozov (RUS) got their 50 000 USD prize money as winners of Cluster 1.