The second day of the FINA Swimming World Cup in Tokyo, Japan, continued today with spectacular races for the audience.
Hungary's Katinka Hosszu made a good start by winning the 200m fly on the first day and impressed in the 400m IM, an event she won in Gwangju, Korea, a few days ago for the fourth consecutive time at a FINA World Championships..
Showing great speed in the fina freestyle stroke, Hosszu beat the World Cup record in 4:32.30 and got her second gold medal of this competition in Tokyo. Ohashi finished in second place in 4:34.27, while Spain’s Mireia Belmonte closed the podium in 4:34.47.
In the men's 1500m free final, Japan's Shogo Takeda swam at a good pace from start to finish and grabbed the gold at stake in 15:07.05.
In the 50m back, Russia's Vladimir Morozov, who showed high sprint ability, won, touching home in 24.53. It was Morozov’s second gold in Tokyo.
The women's 200m free was a tough race between Madison Wilson and Brianna Throssell, both members of the Australian relay team that set a World Record in Gwangju (4x200m free).
They both attacked in the first half of the race and swam side by side until to the end but the winner was Throssell (1:56.99). Wilson finished second in 1:57.44 and Japan's 17 year-old Nagisa Ikemoto settled for bronze in 1:58.19.
“I was feeling the pressure because I knew Madison was fast. For the first 100m I was careful not to lose her. I am very happy with my time of 1:56.99. Madison is a good competitor for me and a good rival,” Throssell admitted.
“Swimming next to each other helps us improve our performance. Without her, I think I could not get stronger,” conceded Wilson.
The Japanese audience was particularly looking forward to the men's 200m IM race: Rio silver medallist Kosuke Hagino was returning from long-term rest and was going to face Australia’s Mitch Larkin. Larkin however led the operation by establishing a new World Cup record in 1:57.06. Hagino finished third in 2:00.03. After the race, loud cheers were given to Hagino from the audience.
“I feel very happy that the audience can support me this much. I was able to stand on the starting point comfortably. From now on I want to do more really good swims and show my best to the audience,” Hagino said.
Hosszu, Federica Pellegrini (ITA) and Australia's Emily Seebohm took part in the 100m back today. The latter won the race in 59.44, while Hossz was second in 59.65 and Pellegrini third (1:00.13).
In the men’s 50m breast, Belarus's Ilya Shymanovich was the fastest for the gold in 26.78 after finishing fifth in Gwangju a few days back.
“The feeling of swimming was very good. I am very happy to be able to win two gold medals in two days,” a happy Shymanovich said.
Australia's Holly Barratt toped the 50m fly in 25.96, beating Olympian Jeanette Ottesen of Denmark (25.97) and Japan's Yukina Hirayama (25.98).
In the men's 100m free, Morozov was the best in 48.12, giving him his third gold medal. The second place so close but Pieroni (USA) beat and Hungary's Szebasztian Szabo in 48.43, while the latter settled for bronze with a time of 48.45.
South Africa's Tatjana Schoenmaker clinched the 100m breast gold (1:06.54) and Japan’s Miho Teramura finished second (1:06.77).
Japan’s Horomura snached the men’s 200m fly cloking an excellent time of 1:55.25.
“I was happy with my swim and my good time. Now, I have been practicing thinking only about improving the form. I hope to improve my time further in the future,” Horomura said.
Rounding off the second competition day, Australia established a new World Cup record in the mixed relay 4x100m free (3:24.89).
The first leg of the Swimming World Cup 2019 in Tokyo continues tomorrow.