2022 Short Course World Champs: Day 5 Finals Live Recap

2022 FINA SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, December 13 to Sunday, December 18, 2022
• Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre, Melbourne, Australia
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Day 5 Finals Heat Sheets

The fifth finals session of the 2022 SC World Champs in Melbourne will feature finals of the 4×50 medley relays, 400 IM, 800 free, and 50 free. There will also be semifinals of the 100 fly and 50 breast.

Jordan Crooks could make history tonight in the men’s 50 free final. Crooks clocked a 20.31 in semifinals last night, leading the field by a wide margin. His semifinals time was just 0.15 seconds off the World Record in the event, so it feels like Crooks could make a run at that mark tonight.

Similarly, the race between Emma McKeon and Katarzyna Wasick in the women’s 50 free final should be a thriller. Wasick has been phenomenal in the event all fall, while McKeon has already split 22.6 and 22.7 on relays at this meet.

Gregorio Paltrinieri won the men’s 1500 earlier in the meet and comes into the men’s 800 free as the top seed tonight.

WOMEN’S 4×50 MEDLEY RELAY

• World Record: 1:42.38 – United States, 2018/Sweden, 2021
• Championship Record: 1:42.38 – United States, 2018/Sweden, 2021
• 2021 Champion: 1:42.38 – Sweden

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Australia – 1:42.35 (World Record)
2. SILVER: United States – 1:42.41
3. BRONZE: Sweden – 1:42.43
4. Canada – 1:43.56
5. Netherlands – 1:43.72
6. France – 1:43.96
7. Japan – 1:45.29
8. Czech Republic – 1:46.40

As has been the case throughout the week, another relay World Record has gone down. It was an incredibly tight race between Australia, the USA, and Sweden at the top, with the Aussies finishing just 0.06 seconds ahead of the US and 0.08 seconds ahead of Sweden.

Australia got out to a great start, as Mollie O’Callaghan led off in a new Canadian women’s 50 back record of 25.49, which was also the fastest backstroke split in the field. Chelsea Hodges then split 29.11 on breast, Emma McKeon was 24.43 on fly, and Madi Wilson anchored in 23.32.

The American touched just off their own World Record mark, fueled in large part by a 22.72 anchor split from Kate Douglass. Claire Curzan was solid on the lead-off, splitting 25.75, while Torri Huske provided a 24.94 fly split. Lilly King clocked a 29.00 on the breast leg for the Americans.

Sweden, who shared the previous WR with the US, was fueled by a scorching 24.06 fly split from Sara Junevik, which was by far the fastest fly split in the field.

MEN’S 4×50 MEDLEY RELAY

• World Record: 1:30.14 – Italy, 2021
• Championship Record: 1:30.51 – Brazil, 2014/RSF, 2021
• 2021 Champion: 1:30.51 – RSF

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Italy – 1:29.72
2. SILVER: United States – 1:30.37
3. BRONZE: Australia – 1:30.81
4. Japan – 1:31.28
5. France – 1:31.41
6. Germany – 1:31.79
7. China – 1:33.13
8. Netherlands – 1:33.43

Yet another relay World Record went down tonight, as the Italians were on fire, breaking 1:30 for the first time ever in the 4×50 medley relay. Lorenzo Mora was great on the lead-off, splitting 22.65, then Nicolo Martinenghi was 24.95 on breast, Matteo Rivolta was 21.60 on fly, and Leonardo Deplano anchored in 20.52. Rivolta and Martinenghi’s splits were the fastest in the field in their strokes.

The Americans came in second, clocking a 1:30.37, which was also under the previous Championship Record. Ryan Murphuy (22.61), Nic Fink (25.24), Shaine Casas (22.13), and Michael Andrew (20.39) teamed up for a new American Record in the event.

Australia’s Isaac Cooper led off in 22.66, then Grayson Bell split 25.92, Matthew Temple split 21.75 on fly, and Kyle Chalmers anchored in 20.48. The Aussies’ 1:30.81 marks a new Oceanic Record in the event.

Japan came in fourth tonight, swimming a 1:31.28. That time marks a new Asian Record in the event.

MEN’S 800 FREESTYLE – TIMED FINALS

• World Record: 7:23.42, Grant Hackett (AUS), 2008
• Championship Record: N/A
• World Junior Record: 7:36.00

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Gregorio Paltrinieri (Italy) – 7:29.99 (Championship Record)
2. SILVER: Henrik Christiansen (Norway) – 7:31.48
3. Logan Fontaine (France) – 7:33.12
4. Shogo Takeda (Japan) – 7:33.78
5. David Johnston (United States) – 7:34.33
6. Joris Bouchaut (France) – 7:35.12
7. Marwan El-Kamash (Egypt) – 7:36.01
8. Charlie Clark (United States) – 7:37.54

Gregorio Paltrinieri set the Championship Record, albeit kind of by default, en route to winning the men’s 800 free tonight. Paltrinieri swam a 7:29.99 after getting out to an early lead. He never really pulled away from eventual silver medalist Henrik Christiansen, who stayed within two seconds of the leader throughout the race. Paltrinieri also negative split the race, going 3:45.81 on the first 400, then coming home in 3:44.18.

Christiansen has had a very good week here in Melbourne, having won two silver medals. He also negative split the race tonight, going 3:46.52 on the first 400m, then coming home in 3:44.96.

France’s Logan Fontaine grabbed the bronze medal with a 7:33.12. France had the best performance in terms of both their swimmers, as Joris Bouchaut came in sixth with a 7:35.12.

Japan’s Shogo Takeda clocked a personal best of 7:33.78 for fourth, finishing just off the podium. The does, however, mark a new Asian Record in the event.

WOMEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 54.59, Kelsi Dahlia (USA), 2021
• World Junior Record: 55.39, Claire Curzan (USA), 2021
• Championship Record: 54.61, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 2014
• 2021 Champion: 55.04, Maggie MacNeil (CAN)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Torri Huske (United States) – 55.23
2. Louise Hansson (Sweden) -55.78
3. Maggie MacNeil (Canada) – 55.83
4. Angelina Kohler (Germany) – 56.23
5. Claire Curzan (United States) – 56.37
6. Alexandria Perkins (Australia) – 56.39
7. Maaike de Waard (Netherlands) – 56.40
8. Katerine Savard (Canada) – 56.44

American Torri Huske led semifinals of the women’s 100 fly by half a second, clocking a 55.23. Huske was out fast, as she’s prone to doing, splitting 25.48 on the first 50 of the race.

Huske’s teammate at Stanford University, Claire Curzan, also qualified for the final, posting a 56.37 for the fifth-fastest time in the field. Curzan is notably the World Junior Record holder in the event with a 55.39.

Sweden’s Louise Hansson swam a 55.78 for second, while Maggie MacNeil clocked a 55.83 for third. MacNeil and Huske notably tied for gold in the women’s 50 fly earlier in the meet. MacNeil also won the women’s 50 back in a new World Record last night.

MEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 47.78, Caeleb Dressel (USA), 2020
• World Junior Record: 49.53, Li Zhuhao (CHN), 2017
• Championship Record: 48.08, Chad le Clos (RSA), 2016
• 2021 Champion: 48.87, Matteo Rivolta (ITA)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Chad le Clos (South Africa) – 48.98
2. Matteo Rivolta (Italy) – 49.07 (Tie)
3. Noe Ponti (Switzerland) – 49.07 (Tie)
4. Marius Kusch (Germany) – 49.20
5. Ilya Kharun (Canada) – 49.65
6. Simon Bucher (Austria) – 49.72
7. Matthew Temple (Australia) – 49.73
8. Youssef Ramadan (Egypt) – 49.79

Chad le Clos touched in 48.98 to lead the field in the men’s 100 fly semifinal tonight. Le Clos was out the fastest tonight, splitting 22.66 on the first 50. Le Clos holds the Championship Record at 48.08, a time which he swam back in 2016.

Matteo Rivolta and Noe Ponti tied for second tonight, swimming 49.07s.

Ilya Kharun was fifth with a 49.65, touching just off the World Junior Record of 49.53.

WOMEN’S 400 IM – FINALS

• World Record: 4:18.94 – Mireia Belmonte (ESP), 2017
• World Junior Record: 4:21.49, Summer McIntosh (CAN), 2022
• Championship Record: 4:19.86, Mireia Belmonte (ESP), 2014
• 2021 Champion: 4:25.55, Tessa Ciepulcha (CAN)

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Hali Flickinger (United States) – 4:26.51
2. SILVER: Sara Franceschi (Italy) – 4:28.58
3. BRONZE: Waka Kobori (Japan) – 4:29.03
4. Leah Smith (United States) – 4:29.18
5. Zsuzsanna Jakabos (Hungary) – 4:32.10
6. Cyrielle Duhamel (France) – 4:32.40
7. Ilaria Cusinato (Italy) – 4:32.68
8. Tessa Cieplucha (Canada) – DQ

Hali Flickinger won her first individual World title of her career, speeding to a 4:26.51 to win gold in the women’s 400 IM. Flickinger left no doubt, leading the race wire-to-wire. She established a big lead on the fly leg, splitting 1:00.06, which was over two seconds faster than everyone else in the field. Flickinger actually expanded her lead on the backstroke leg as well.

Italy’s Sara Franceschi was sitting in third and fourth through the first half of the race, then moved into second on the breast leg. She was able to maintain her position through the freestyle leg, winning the silver medal.

Waka Kobori grabbed the bronze medal, swimming a 4:29.03.

The U.S. nearly got two swimmers on the podium, as Leah Smith swam a 4:29.18 for fourth place. Smith was the fastest swimmer in the field on the final 100, splitting 59.82, but she fell just short of winning a medal.

MEN’S 400 IM – FINALS

• World Record: 3:54.81 – Daiya Seto (JPN), 2019
• World Junior Record: 3:56.47, Ilya Borodin (RSF), 2021
• Championship Record: 3:55.50, Ryan Lochte (USA), 2010
• 2021 Champion: 3:56.26, Daiya Seto (JPN)

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Daiya Seto (Japan) – 3:55.75
2. SILVER: Carson Foster (United States) – 3:57.63
3. BRONZE: Matt Sates (South Africa) – 3:59.21
4. Alberto Razzetti (Italy) – 4:00.45
5. So Ogata (Japan) – 4:02.21
6. Jake Foster (United States) – 4:02.51
7. David Schlicht (Australia) – 4:04.33
8. Richard Nagy (Slovakia) – 4:05.57

Japan’s Daiya Seto has been great this week in Melbourne, picking up another gold medal tonight, this time in the men’s 400 IM. Seto narrowly missed Ryan Lochte’s Championship Record of 3:55.50, which has stood since 2010. Seto, Carson Foster, and Matt Sates were trading the lead throughout the first half of the race, then Seto, the 200 breast gold medalist, pulled away with the race on the breast leg.

Foster won silver while Sates took bronze.

Italy’s Alberto Razzetti was in fourth for nearly the entire race, ending up firmly in fourth at the finish.

Jake Foster, Carson’s brother, came in sixth with a 4:02.51.

WOMEN’S 50 BREASTSTROKE – SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 28.56, Alia Atkinson (JAM), 2018
• World Junior Record: 28.81, Benedetta Pilato (ITA), 2020
• Championship Record: 28.81, Ruta Meilutyte (LTU), 2014
• 2021 Champion: 29.34, Anastasia Gorbenko (ISR)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Ruta Meilutyte (Lithuania) – 28.37 (World Record)
2. Lilly King (United States) – 28.86
3. Lara van Niekerk (South Africa) – 29.27
4. Tang Qianting (China) – 29.28
5. Imogen Clark (Great Britain) – 29.30
6. Benedetta Pilato (Italy) – 29.42
7. Anna Elendt (Germany) – 29.52
8. Veera Kivirinta (Finland) – 29.80

After getting DQ’d in the women’s 100 breast final the other night, Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte came back with a vengeance, speeding to a new World Record of 28.37. She also led semifinals by a massive margin, touching 0.49 seconds ahead of Lilly King, who was the second-fastest swimmer in semis.

King was also just off the Championship Record of 28.81, swimming a 28.86. Notably, Benedetta Pilato was the Championship Record holder as well as the World Junior Record holder, and came in sixth tonight with a 29.42.

Lara van Niekerk swam a 29.27, setting a new African Record. Similarly, Tang Qianting was fourth with a 29.28, breaking the Asian Record in the event.

MEN’S 50 BREASTSTROKE – SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 24.95, Emri Sakci (TUR), 2021
• World Junior Record: 25.85, Simone Cerasuolo (ITA), 2021
• Championship Record: 25.41, Cameron van der Burgh (RSA), 2018
• 2021 Champion: 25.53, Nic Fink (USA)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Nicolo Martinenghi (Italy) – 25.60
2. Nic Fink (United States) – 25.64
3. Simone Cerasuolo (Italy) – 25.66
4. Yan Zibei (China) – 25.80
5. Michael Andrew (United States) – 25.81 (Tie)
6. Qin Haiyang (China) – 25.81 (Tie)
7. Adam Peaty (Great Britain) – 25.85
8. Huseyin Sakci (Turkey) – 26.04

The men’s 50 breast semifinals were very tight, seeing Nicolo Martinenghi, Nic Fink, and Simone Cerasuolo all finish within 0.06 seconds of each other. Of note, Italy is set up very well for tomorrow’s final, as they’ll have two swimmers racing in the middle of the pool. Martinenghi also split 24.95 on the 4×50 medley relay at the beginning of the session tonight, which ties the World Record in the men’s 50 breast.

With the top three all swimming 25.6s tonight, the Championship Record of 25.41 could be in jeopardy tomorrow night.

China’s Yan Zibei swam a personal best of 25.80 for fourth tonight, marking a new Chinese Record, as well as a new Asian Record.

World Record holder Huseyin Sakci nearly missed the final, finishing eighth tonight with a 26.04. It was an off swim for Sakci, whose World Recor of 24.95 was set last December.

WOMEN’S 50 FREESTYLE – FREESTYLE – FINALS

• World Record: 22.93 – Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED), 2017
• World Junior Record: 23.69 – Anastasiya Shkurdai (BLR), 2020
• Championship Record: 23.08 – Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 2021 checked
• 2021 Champion: 23.08 – Sarah Sjostrom (SWE)

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Emma McKeon (Australia) – 23.04 (Championship Record)
2. SILVER: Katarzyna Wasick (Poland) – 23.55
3. BRONZE: Anna Hopkin (Great Britain) – 23.68
4. Julie Jensen (Denmark) – 23.71
5. Michelle Coleman (Sweden) – 23.72
6. Meg Harris (Australia) – 23.73
7. Erika Brown (United States) – 23.76
8. Melanie Henique (France) – 23.90

Emma McKeon ended up winning this race handily, speeding to a new personal best of 23.04. Not only did McKeon touch first by 0.51 seconds, she set a new Championship Record and a new Oceanic Record in the process.

Katarzyna Wasick had a bit of a down performance, taking second in 23.55. She just didn’t have the same speed as McKeon from the start, flipping at the 25m turn 0.26 seconds behind McKeon.

Great Britain’s Anna Hopkin rounded out the podium with a 23.68, leading a very tight field of finishers from fourth-eighth.

MEN’S 50 FREESTYLE – FINALS

• World Record: 20.16 – Caeleb Dressel (USA), 2020
• World Junior Record: 20.98 – Kenzo Simons (NED), 2019
• Championship Record: 20.26 – Florent Manaudou (FRA), 2014
• 2021 Champion: 20.45 – Benjamin Proud (GBR)

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Jordan Crooks (Cayman Islands) – 20.46
2. SILVER: Ben Proud (Great Britain) – 20.49
3. BRONZE: Dylan Carter (Trinidad & Tobago) – 20.72
4. Szebasztian Szabo (Hungary) – 20.84
5. Maxime Grousset (France) – 20.90
6. Florent Manaudou (France) – 20.91
7. Kyle Chalmers (Australia) – 20.92
8. Lewis Burras (Great Britain) – 20.95

Jordan Crooks was a touch off his semifinals performance of 20.31, but he managed to get his hand on the wall first tonight. The gold medal marks the first World Championships medal for the Cayman Islands.

Ben Proud and Crooks were tied at the 25m turn, then Crooks edged Proud slightly on the second length. Proud still put together a good swim, taking second in 20.49.

Dylan Carter won another medal for himself, touching third in 20.72.

100 free gold medalist Kyle Chalmers was seventh tonight in 20.92.