2021 RUSSIAN NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- April 3-9, 2021
- Palace of Water Sports, Kazan, Russia
- Prelims: 9:00 am local/2:00 am Eastern, Finals: 6:00 pm local/11:00 am Eastern
- LCM (50m)
- Russian Olympic Qualification Procedures
- Meet Central
- Start Lists/Results
- Live Stream (YouTube channel)
Olympic spots will be on the line in three events on Day 2 of the 2021 Russian Swimming Championships, with finals of the women’s 100 butterfly, men’s 100 breaststroke and women’s 400 freestyle.
We’ll also see semis in the men’s 200 free and 100 back, the women’s 100 breast and 100 back, and both the semis and finals of the non-Olympic men’s 50 fly.
This morning’s prelims featured several notable swims, headlined by Kliment Kolesnikov setting a best time of 52.44 in the men’s 100 back, ranking him second in the world this season and 13th all-time.
Day 2 Finals Live Stream:
Men’s 50 Fly Semi-Finals
- Russian Record: 22.70, Oleg Kostin (2019)
- Andrei Minakov, 23.24
- Andrey Zhilkin, 23.25
- Roman Shevlyakov, 23.51
- Daniil Markov, 23.63
- Alexander Sadovnikov, 23.70
- Aleksandr Popkov, 23.82
- Adilbek Musin, 23.89
- Nikita Korolyov, 23.90
Andrei Minakov paced the men’s 50 fly semis in a time of 23.24, out-touching Andrey Zhilkin by .01 in the second heat. Minakov goes slightly quicker than his morning swim of 23.27, while his PB stands at 23.05 from October.
Zhilkin’s 23.25 is within range of his 23.06 best, while Roman Shevlyakov was .02 off of his best time in winning the first semi-final in 23.51.
Women’s 100 Fly Final
- Russian Record: 57.17, Svetlana Chimrova (2017)
- FINA ‘A’ Cut: 57.92
- Arina Surkova, 57.54
- Svetlana Chimrova, 57.83
- Aleksandra Sabitova, 57.96
Arina Surkova and Svetlana Chimrova are the first two women to qualify for the Russian Olympic team, going 1-2 in the 100 butterfly while both getting under the FINA ‘A’ standard.
Surkova opened up a lead of three-tenths on Chimrova at the 50, turning in 26.36, and held her at bay coming home to win it in 57.54, taking over two-tenths off her best time set in yesterday’s semis (57.76).
Surkova also slots into the top-10 in the world this season, moving up from 13th to 10th.
Chimrova, the Russian Record holder at 57.17, held off the charging youngster Aleksandra Sabitova to snag second and get on the team in 57.83, with Sabitova breaking her own Russian Youth Record of 58.18 in 57.96.
2005-born Daria Klepikova had a sensational swim in placing fourth, clocking 58.55. Her previous best time was the 58.75 she produced at the 2020 Russian Championships in late October.
Men’s 200 Free Semi-Finals
- Russian Record: 1:43.90, Danila Izotov (2009)
- FINA ‘A’ Cut: 1:47.02
- Ivan Girev, 1:45.49
- Martin Malyutin, 1:46.30
- Aleksandr Krasnykh, 1:46.76
- Alexander Shchegolev, 1:46.95
- Mikhail Vekovishchev, 1:47.06
- Mikhail Dovgalyuk, 1:47.10
- Nikolay Snegirev, 1:47.95
- Daniil Shatalov, 1:47.97
Ivan Girev looked sensational in the second semi-final of the men’s 200 free, pulling away from the field on the back-half en route to putting up a time of 1:45.49, almost a full second under his previous best time of 1:46.40.
That time came almost four years ago, at the 2017 World Junior Championships, so the 20-year-old has clearly regained the form that made him such a breakout star in his mid-to-late teens.
Girev now ranks second in the world this season, trailing only Katsuhiro Matsumoto of Japan (1:45.13).
Aleksandr Krasnykh, a 2016 Olympic finalist and 2017 World Championship bronze medalist in this event, took second to Girev in the second semi in 1:46.76, safely advancing him into tomorrow’s final in third.
Martin Malyutin did what he does best in the first semi, roaring home to the heat victory in 1:46.30 to qualify second overall.
Malyutin owns a best time of 1:45.46, and Krasnykh has been as fast as 1:45.23. There’s also Mikhail Dovgalyuk, who qualified sixth in 1:47.10, who holds a PB of 1:45.56. They’ll all need to be at their very best if they hope to challenge Girev in the final.
Women’s 100 Breast Semi-Finals
- Russian Record: 1:04.36, Yuliya Efimova (2017)
- FINA ‘A’ Cut: 1:07.07
- Evgeniia Chikunova, 1:06.49
- Yuliya Efimova, 1:06.79
- Tatiana Belonogoff, 1:06.95
- Maria Temnikova, 1:07.47
- Alina Zmushka, 1:07.76
- Nika Godun, 1:08.07
- Daria Chikunova, 1:08.36
- Anastasia Makarova, 1:08.70
It was the upstart Evgeniia Chikunova defeat reigning Olympic silver medalist Yuliya Efimova head-to-head in the second semi of the women’s 100 breast, as Chikunova used a strong first 50 to win the heat in a new best time of 1:06.49.
The 16-year-old was almost three-quarters of a second clear of Efimova on the first length (31.74), as she lowers her previous best of 1:06.63 set in October. Chikunova moves up one spot, from seventh to sixth, in the 2020-21 world rankings.
Efimova, who cruised into the semis with a 1:08-plus swim this morning, turned on the jets on the second 50, splitting 34.31 to qualify second for the final in 1:06.79.
Tatiana Belonogoff busted through the 1:07-barrier for the first time to win the first semi and advance third overall in 1:06.95.
Men’s 100 Breast Final
- Russian Record: 58.83, Anton Chupkov (2020)
- FINA ‘A’ Cut: 59.93
- Kirill Prigoda, 59.11
- Anton Chupkov, 59.47
- Alexander Palatov, 59.59
Kirill Prigoda executed a magnificent race in the final of the men’s 100 breast, out-splitting national record holder Anton Chupkov on both 50s to win in 59.11 and qualify for his second Olympic team.
Prigoda turned second in 27.93, trailing early leader Kirill Strelnikov (27.61), and then came back in 31.18 to register the third-fastest swim of his career. Prigoda set a best of 59.05 at the 2017 World Championships, and then went 59.09 two years ago in Gwangju.
This swim elevates the 25-year-old into seventh in the world this season.
Chupkov, who set the Russian Record of 58.83 in October, actually had to hold off Alexander Palatov to take second, clocking 59.47 to Palatov’s 59.59. Usually known for his back-half speed, Chupkov was nearly run down by Palatov, who closed in a blistering 31.01.
Kazakhstan’s Dmitriy Balandin was fourth in 59.81, which should put him on their Olymic team, and Danil Semyaninov made it five men sub-1:00 in 59.89.
Strelnikov faded coming home, taking sixth in 1:00.04.
Four Russians were under the FINA ‘A’ cut, but it’s Prigoda and Chupkov added their names to the Olympic roster.
Women’s 400 Free Final
Russian Record: 4:06.01, Veronika Andrusenko (2019)- FINA ‘A’ Cut: 4:07.90
- Anna Egorova, 4:04.10
- Anastasia Kirpichnikova, 4:06.26
- Veronika Andrusenko, 4:11.57
It was a breakthrough performance for 22-year-old Anna Egorova, as she slowly pulled away from Anastasia Kirpichnikova en route to winning the women’s 400 free in 4:04.10, smashing the Russian Record by nearly two seconds.
The previous national mark stood at 4:06.01, set by Veronika Andrusenko in 2019.
Egorova swam a best time of 4:06.03 at the 2018 Euros, winning bronze in what was a Russian Record at the time, and then was 4:06.16 at the 2019 World Championships where she placed seventh. Having been 4:06.5 in December, a swim of this magnitude doesn’t come as a big surprise.
Egorova climbs into second in the world rankings, trailing China’s Wang Jianjiahe (4:03.02).
Kirpichnikova, just 20, set her previous best of 4:08.36 at that same meet in December, and subsequently drops a similar amount of time as Egorova, clocking 4:06.26 as they both qualify for the Olympic team.
Andrusenko was back in third, finishing in 4:11.57.
Men’s 100 Back Semi-Finals
- Russian Record: 51.97, Evgeny Rylov (2019)
- FINA ‘A’ Cut: 53.85
- Kliment Kolesnikov, 52.42
- Evgeny Rylov, 52.74
- Grigory Tarasevich, 53.26
- Nikolay Zuev, 54.13
- Pavel Samusenko, 54.49
- Mark Nikolaev, 54.52
- Maxim Fofanov, 54.78
- Egor Dolomanov, 54.87
Kliment Kolesnikov further improved his personal best from the prelims by .02, clocking 52.42 to maintain his spot as the 13th-fastest swimmer in history and #2 this season (Xu Jiayu, 52.35).
Comparing his splits from the heats, the 20-year-old was out faster here in 25.36, but failed to close sub-27 like he did in the morning (27.06).
National record holder Evgeny Rylov eased through the first semi in 52.74, rocketing home on the second 50 in 26.61 to take over third in the world this season.
While those two look like locks to go 1-2 and make the Olympic team tomorrow, Grigory Tarasevich remains within striking distance after a very solid 53.26 for third. Tarasevich holds a best of 53.03 from 2016, but this swim marks his fastest since the 2017 World Championships.
Women’s 100 Back Semi-Finals
- Russian Record: 58.18, Anastasia Fesikova (2009)
- FINA ‘A’ Cut: 1:00.25
- Maria Kameneva, 59.10
- Anastasia Fesikova, 1:00.20
- Anastasia Klyarovskaya, 1:01.14
- Marina Kravchenko, 1:01.23
- Daria K. Ustinova, 1:01.24
- Daria Vaskina, 1:01.32
- Anastasia Duplinskaya, 1:01.44
- Elizaveta Agapitova, 1:01.60
Maria Kameneva is beginning to solidify herself as a legitimate threat in the women’s 100 backstroke, unleashing a new personal best time of 59.10 to qualify first for tomorrow’s final by over a second.
Kameneva closed in a scorching 29.90 to take down her previous best of 59.27 from 2019, and moved up into fourth in the world rankings this season.
Anastasia Fesikova, the only Russian woman who has ever been faster than Kameneva’s swim today, advances second in 1:00.20, putting the 30-year-old in a great position to qualify for her fourth Olympic team tomorrow.
Notably lurking back in sixth is Daria Vaskina, the 2019 World Championship bronze medalist in the 50 back who owns a best of 59.46 from last year.
Men’s 50 Fly Final
- Russian Record: 22.70, Oleg Kostin (2019)
- Andrei Minakov, 23.02
- Andrey Zhilkin, 23.13
- Roman Shevlyakov, 23.25
Andrei Minakov picks up the win in the men’s 50 fly in a new best time of 23.02, lowering his 23.05 from the Russian Championships in October.
The 19-year-old maintains his spot as the third-fastest swimmer in the world this year. His 23.05 swim from last year remains the world junior record after his eligibility ran out at the end of 2020.
In the all-time rankings Minakov now sits in a tie for 22nd with Germany’s Steffen Deibler.
Andrey Zhilkin, the third-fastest Russian ever with his best of 23.06, took second in 23.13, and Roman Shevlyakov took more than two-tenths off his best for third in 23.25.
The entire field went sub-24 in the final.
Women’s 4×100 Free Relay Final
- Russian Record: 3:37.68 (2016)
- Novosibirsk Region, 3:40.40
- St. Petersburg, 3:40.97
- Moscow, 3:47.38
The Novosibirsk team of Arina Surkova, Vasilissa Buinaia, Alexandra Kichigina and Daria Trofimova edged out St. Petersburg to win the women’s 400 free relay in 3:40.40 to St. Petersburg’s 3:40.97.
The runner-up lineup included Daria S. Ustinova and Maria Kameneva. Splits were not initially posted.
That 52.42 was a new Russian record as that 51.97 was in a mixed relay.
Egorova and Kirpichnikova are both trained in France by Philippe Lucas, the middle distance/open water whisperer that vaulted Laure Manaudou and Sharon van Rouwendaal to the top of Olympic podiums.
World record in the 200 breast could be on watch if Chikunova is setting best times in the 100.
Where is Oleg Kostin?
He was 10th in yesterday’s 100 breast semi, and didn’t enter in 50 fly.
Thank you.
Kostin is made for the ISL. Looks like maybe he is all in on 100 Fly to try to make an Olympic team.
But really his talent would shine in the ISL. Can win 50 fly or 50 breast + skins and definitely contend in the 100 of either distance where he is better in SCM.
There’s just something about the way Rylov Swims. 52.7 should never look that easy. I quite fancy him to beat Kolesnikov tomorrow.
Rylov is magnificent. So controlled in every phase: underwaters, first half swum with a low stroke frequency, acceleration after the turn, deceleration in the last 10 metres. We’ll see tomorrow how much margin he really has.
I suspect he doesn’t halve half as much in the tank as it looked, but that’s the beauty of watching Rylov swim. I still think he’ll have enough to reel in Kolesnikov, so hopefully he can go 52low.
I would be surprised if Rylov doesn’t win at least one of the backstroke golds in Tokyo. 100 will be the real challenge for him–Xu has looked fantastic this year, and has been the most consistent this quad.
He really plays with his splitting. For a guy who is one of the top 3 in the 50 back on the planet he really relies on his 200 endurance for the 100 instead of taking it out fast which sometimes hurts him (ex. getting 2nd in 2019 because he went out a little too slow). Everything about his swimming is beautiful to watch, he’s always had a very smooth and easy looking stroke
Some guys just like a strong back half; it must be fun to reel in the competition. But it often seems like that comes at the expense of the overall time. Destin Lasco’s swims last week often felt that way last week. Losing a second on the front half to gain .5 in the back half.
Kolesnikob was 52.42. He looked a bit winded at the end.
Efimova has not been looking sharp.
But I’m looking forward to seeing Kolesnikov destroy this 100 back
Yep, unless she’s saving energy it’s not looking good for her. The 100 is easier to make the team but the 200 is packed. She could struggle there.
I think she might be, considering her drop from prelims and semis. If im Yulia, idk how much id stress over popping off a faster time than I did in the semis. Shes probably the countries most recognizable swimmer and has been doing these events since she was a teen. I think the trials are less important to her than say the up and coming teens. I think she makes it on in this event, per her track record. Only one on paper to have been 105 too and that wasn’t too long ago
I feel like Rylov is very confident racing against Kolesnikov – should be a great race.
Yes, that will be a fun race to watch tomorrow
With her back half in the semis I’m guessing she’s being strategic (32.4/34.3). When she went 1:05.7 in 2019 her back half was 34.7. That kind of finish looks to me like she took out the first 50 nice and smooth, then practiced actual 100 pace coming home. There are a couple of women within striking distance of her but I think she’ll make the team just fine.
Does anyone knows if Izotov still swims?
Also, there was a Junior (same age as dressel) that was a Junior world Record in the 50 Fr with 21.8 in 2014 or something. What happened to that guy?
Izotov was dead last in the semifinals today.
And, the guy you are referring to is in the 50 free start list (Evgeny Sedov).
I think the guy you’re talking about is Evgeny Sedov. He still swims, and was faster last year than he has been for a long time. Who knows what’s next.
Izotov swam a 1:49.62. Denis Pankratov assumed it’s his farewell tonight
Girev finally showing his talent! We’ve been kept waiting too long, but fantastic to see.
And he looked so easy..