Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu and Russia’s Vladimir Morozov tops the respective ranks in the second cluster, winning 50 thousand US dollars apiece. This is a fine addition to Hosszu’s income already including 17.500 USD – she earned this amount alone in Doha through capturing 9 gold and 4 silver medals in the 6th leg of the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup. Thus she tied her single-meet record of 13 medals she set in Dubai in mid-week.
Katinka Hosszu didn’t take her foot off the gas pedal: within six days she repeated her amazing feat of winning 13 medals in a single meet. She copied her results from Dubai, won the same nine events in Doha as well and added the same four silvers. In fact, she was 0.11sec away from bettering the World Cup record by making the podium 14 times in two days – that was the margin she missed the bronze by in the 50m free on Saturday.
Hosszu: four wins in 52 minutes
On the second day in Doha she kicked off her march with a silver in the 100m free, then she won four golds in a span of 52 minutes (100m back, 200m fly, 400m free, 100m IM). The 200m fly was special as it ended in a rare tie for the gold with Madelina Groves (AUS) – while the title in the 100m IM marked her 100th medal in the World Cup in medley events. And she was back for more a bit later, coming second in the 50m fly and finishing atop in the 400m IM. In the last three season she won 52 of 53 medley events, only Mireia Belmonte could pass her back in 2014 in Singapore, since that silver Hosszu built a winning streak of 34 in IM.
“It was definitely a fun two days” she drew the conclusion. “The crowd was amazing, it’s so great to meet so many Hungarians here. I’ve broken eight world records here in Doha so it’s always nice to relive these memories. For me it’s always fun to race and challenge myself. I like putting myself in situations where I might not win. I have thirteen medals over these two days and now I’ll try to beat that.”
Hosszu won the second cluster and she tops the overall ranks with 783 points, she amassed 479 more than second seeded Jeanette Ottesen (DEN) – she could have been declared the final winner right in Doha, before the Far East cluster. However, she will have more shots in Singapore, Tokyo and Hong Kong in the coming meets.
Atkinson just 0.18sec shy of the WR
As for Ottesen, the Dane collected four gold medals, adding the 100m free and the 50m fly titles to her Doha tally which also placed her second in the cluster. “I just go out there and try and have some fun. I didn’t really expect anything because Katinka has been swimming so well. But I’m pleased I won.” Later she added: “It’s been good. I’m really thrilled as that’s my top performance of the finals tonight and of the entire weekend. I’m happy now but I need to rest and then turn my attention to Singapore.”
Her medal points put her ahead of Alia Atkinson (JAM) who collected the same number of points (168), but had less medals and more bonus for her outstanding times. She admittedly went for the WR in the 50m breast on Sunday and was just 0.18sec shy to set a new global mark. “It went pretty well as I went after the world record” Atkinson said. “I want to keep getting faster as I go through the World Cup series. I have three more chances in the next cluster. There was a great cheer from the Doha crowd when I walked out which relaxed me and put everything in perspective.”
The other breaststroke title went to Rie Kaneto (JPN) who won the 200m for the 5th time in six events this season. “I’m very-very happy”, the Japanese said. “Especially the last stretch over the final 50m. This is my third time here in Doha and I love it as I never expected so many Japanese fans here. It’s great!” Here Yulia Efimova touched in second, this was her fourth silver in Doha. Another multimedallist was Hungary’s Zsuzsanna Jakabos who had a silver and five bronzes during the two days.
What a difference a shaving can make
Among the men, the duel between Vladimir Morozov and Chad Le Clos continued and even though the partial result was 2-2 on Sunday, on the whole Morozov enjoyed a better meet in Doha as well. He won 4 titles to Le Clos’s 3 and he also won the cluster (210-195) and holds a comfortable lead in the overall (436-387).
As for the South African hero, perhaps we might say, or even sing, what a difference a shaving can make... After getting rid of his beard from Saturday, Le Clos started the day with two electrifying wins in the 200m free and the 100m fly, both times he was third before the last 50m but thanks to his tremendous finish he reached the wall first (the winning margin was 0.33 and 0.21). Altogether Chad won 6 medals, boosting his total to 150, the first man ever reaching this border in the World Cup history. “This year was a lot tougher than last. I had two tough races back to back so I’m happy with my win today especially with all my supporters here cheering from me” Le Clos said.
However, Morozov was also up to the task and he also collected two titles, winning the 100m breast and the 50m free (and was also member of the winning Russian mixed free relay). The Russian rocket won 6 gold altogether with the two relay titles.
“Definitely a successful finals for me in Doha” the Russian commented. “I’m happy with the second win. It’s being a great series so far as although we’re all meant to be rivals, we’re actually just great competitors and gentlemen in and out of the pool. For Canada I might add the breaststroke. It’s looking really good at the moment. If I do that will be me up to 8 events.”
Seto, the versatile Japanese
Japanese Daiya Seto offered a teaser from his outstanding versatility as he won the 200m IM with ease and finished the meet with 5 medals, earning gold in the 200m and 400m IM and the 200m fly, and came second in the 200m breast and third in the 100m breast. “I wanted to swim faster but it will still pretty good. I plan to try and secure a World Cup record in this Asian cluster so I will have to rest up now and keep trying to improve” he said.
In the backstroke events Pavel Stankovich (BLR) claimed the title in the dash while Bobby Hurley (AUS) enjoyed an easy cruise in the 200m. “The competition has been tough here but it’s been good to race as all the are top swimmers here and I’ve enjoyed the experience” Hurley said. “The crowds have been good, lots of familiar faces. Doha has wonderful facilities and we’re made to feel very welcome. I’ve really enjoyed it especially the atmosphere.”
The last gold among the men went to Hungary’s Gergely Gyurta who was a cut above the rest in the 1500m free and become the sixth winner of this event in as many meets this season. “I wanted to swim and get a time that qualified me for the World Championships in Canada” said the little brother of breaststroker giant Daniel. “The qualifying mark was 14:33.10, so I did it and qualified which I’m really happy about. A managed to leave all the bitterness Rio caused behind and it’s fine to have this result after three weeks of trainings. Though it was more painful than a normal 1500m should hurt but with more preparations it will change, hopefully.”
FINA President – present also for the General Congress of the Asian Swimming Federation held earlier on the day – Dr. Julio C. Maglione handed over the big checks for the respective cluster winners, Katinka Hosszu and Vlad Morozov at the end of the session, amidst huge ovation from the crowd.
However, in less than two weeks the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup will return as the next meet is due on 21-22 October in Singapore.
Second Cluster, Final Ranks, Top Six
MEN
1. MOROZOV Vladimir RUS 210
2. LE CLOS Chad RSA 195
3. SETO Daiya JPN 171
4. HURLEY Bobby RSA 114
5. HEINTZ Philip GER 96
6. SANKOVICH Pavel BLR 93
WOMEN
1. HOSSZU Katinka HUN 405
2. OTTESEN JeanetteDEN 168
3. ATKINSON Alia JAM 168
4. ZEVINA Daryna UKR 99
5. JAKABOS Zsuzsanna HUN 96
6. KANETO Rie JPN 96
Standings, overall
MEN
1. MOROZOV Vladimir 436
2. LE CLOS Chad 387
3. HEINTZ Philip 234
4. HURLEY Bobby 213
5. SETO Daiya 171
6. SANKOVICH Pavel 159
WOMEN
1. HOSSZU Katinka 783
2. OTTESEN Jeanette 309
3. ATKINSON Alia 289
4. ZEVINA Daryna 219
5. EFIMOVA Yuliya 210
6. MEILI Katie 186