2024 WORLD AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
- February 11th – February 18th
- Doha, Qatar
- LCM (50m)
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- Day 1 Prelims Live Recap | Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
It’s already day three of the World Championships, and it will be a quick heats session. We’ll just see four events this morning: the men’s 50 breast, women’s 200 free, men’s 200 fly, and men’s 800 free.
The men’s 50 breast will consist of a similar field from yesterday’s 100 breast. The gold medalist from the 100m distance, American Nic Fink, will be a major contender to keep an eye on. Joining him in the field is Italian duo Nicolo Martinenghi and Simone Cerasuolo in addition to world record holder Adam Peaty of Team GB. Australian Sam Williamson enters the event as the top seed, recently ripping a 26.51 Australian record in November. Williamson popped a best time in yesterday’s 100 breast final, so he looks to be in a good position to challenge for the top podium spot here.
Siobhan Haughey of Hong Kong is the top entrant in the women’s 200 free, and is the only swimmer in the field to have ever cracked the 1:55-barrier. She owns a best time of 1:53.92 from her silver medal performance at the Tokyo Olympic Games, and touched 4th at Worlds last year in 1:53.96. A plethora of 1:55 swimmers will also feature, including Shayna Jack (AUS), Erika Fairweather (NZL), Li Bingjie (CHN), Barbora Seemanova (CZE), and Marrit Steenbergen (NED).
Japan’s Tomoru Honda will be front and center in the men’s 200 fly, coming in as the only athlete to have ever posted a time under 1:53. Honda, who owns the short course world record in this event, owns a lifetime best of 1:52.70 from the 2022 Japan Open. He won bronze in this event at the Fukuoka World Championships, but is expected face tough competition from defending silver medalist Krzysztof Chmielewski of Poland.
The men’s 800 free will end this session, and it is one of the most loaded fields here in Doha. Defending World Champion Ahmed Hafnaoui (TUN) is slated to compete this morning, after missing the 400 free final on day one. 2019 World Champion Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA), 2022 World Championship silver medalist Florian Wellbrock (GER), European record holder Daniel Wiffen (IRL), and 2022 Worlds bronze medalist Mykhailo Romanchuk (UKR) are some of the other names in the field.
MEN’S 50 BREASTSTROKE – HEATS
- World Record: Adam Peaty, Great Britain – 25.95 (2017)
- World Junior Record: Nicolo Martinenghi, Italy – 26.97 (2017)
- Championship Record: Adam Peaty, Great Britain – 25.95 (2017)
- 2023 World Champion: Qin Haiyang, China – 26.29
Top 16 Qualifiers:
- Nic Fink (USA) – 26.66 & Ilya Shymanovich (NIA) – 26.66
- –
- Sam Williamson (AUS) – 26.69
- Nicolo Martinenghi (ITA) – 26.75
- Peter Stevens (SLO) – 26.79
- Melvin Imoudu (GER) – 26.91
- Michael Andrew (USA) – 26.94
- Simone Cerasuolo (ITA) – 27.00
- Denis Petrashov (KGZ) – 27.10
- Caspar Corbeau (NED) – 27.11
- Mikel Schreuders (ARU) – 27.18
- Adam Peaty (GBR) – 27.23
- Lucas Matzerath (GER) – 27.40
- Bernhard Reitshammer (AUT) – 27.47
- Jan Kalusowski (POL) – 27.50
- Arkadios Aspougalis (GRE) – 27.62
Nicolo Martinenghi of Italy, who bagged silver in yesterday’s 100 breast final, was victorious in the first of the circle seeded heats. He touched in 26.75 for the win, with Peter Stevens (26.79) touching 2nd and Germany’s Melvin Imoudu stopping the clock in 26.91 for 3rd.
Nic Fink and Adam Peaty swam in lanes 4 and 5 in the penultimate heat, with Fink having a very strong start. He ultimately touched for the win in 26.66, with Caspar Corbeau (27.11) of the Netherlands finishing strong for 2nd place. World record holder Peaty (27.23) touched for 3rd, appearing to shut it down completely over the final meters of the race.
Ilya Shymanovich clocked 26.66 in the final heat to match Fink’s top time of the morning, with Australia’s Sam Williamson touching in 26.69 for 2nd place. Michael Andrew of Team USA broke the 27-second mark for 3rd in the heat, finishing in 26.94.
Seven swimmers dipped under the 27-second barrier this morning, with Simone Cerasuolo of Italy posting a time of 27.00 to nearly make it eight.
WOMEN’S 200 FREESTYLE – HEATS
- World Record: Mollie O’Callaghan, Australia – 1:52.85 (2023)
- World Junior Record: Summer McIntosh, Canada – 1:53.65 (2023)
- Championship Record: Mollie O’Callaghan, Australia – 1:52.85 (2023)
- 2023 World Champion: Mollie O’Callaghan, Australia – 1:52.85
- Olympic ‘A’ Qualifying Time: 1:57.26, Olympic ‘B’ Qualifying Time: 1:57.85
Top 16 Qualifiers:
- Li Bingjie (CHN) – 1:57.16
- Erika Fairweather (NZL) – 1:57.40
- Nikolett Padar (HUN) – 1:57.42
- Siobhan Haughey (HKG) – 1:57.62
- Ai Yanhan (CHN) – 1:58.06
- Marrit Steenbergen (NED) – 1:58.18
- Maria Costa (BRA) – 1:58.22
- Barbora Seemanova (CZE) – 1:58.25
- Brianna Throssell (AUS) – 1:58.29
- Addison Sauickie (USA) – 1:58.33
- Shayna Jack (AUS) – 1:58.40 & Valentine Dumont (BEL) – 1:58.40
- –
- Rebecca Smith (CAN) – 1:59.00
- Daria Golovaty (ISR) – 1:59.11
- Janja Segel (SLO) – 1:59.37
- Janna Van Kooten (NED) – 1:59.41
Li Bingjie of China stole the show in heat three, touching in 1:57.16 to win the heat. Erika Fairweather of New Zealand, who claimed 400 free gold on day one, led most of the way. Fairweather flipped at the 100 in 57.08 and led through the 150 as well, but Li split a sizzling 29.00 over the final 50m to snag the win. Fairweather touched in 1:57.40 for runner-up status in the heat. Of note, Li will feature in tonight’s 1500 free final.
Maria Costa of Brazil, who shattered the South American record in the 400 free (4:02.86) on day one, hit the wall in 1:58.22 to win the penultimate heat. Barbora Seemanova (1:58.25) and Brianna Throssell (1:58.29) comprised the next two spots in the heat, safely advancing to tonight’s semi-finals. Second seed Shayna Jack fell to 4th, touching in 1:58.40.
Siobhan Haughey took control of the final heat from the very first stroke, ultimately turning through the first 50 in 26.90. She maintained her lead for most of the way, flipping at 56.07 at the 100, 1:26.17 at the 150, before touching for 2nd in 1:57.62. Nikolett Padar of Hungary made a charge over the final 50 to take the heat win (1:57.42), and Haughey seemed to completely ease up with 30m to go. Haughey does have the final of the 100 breast later today, so it seems she wanted to preserve as much energy as possible. The World Junior Champion from September, Addison Sauickie, also featured in this heat. She touched in 1:58.33, advancing through in 10th. Marrit Steenbergen of the Netherlands, who is in contention to medal in this event, touched for 3rd in the heat (1:58.18).
It took a time of 1:59.41 to earn a second swim in this event, with 19 swimmers breaking 2-minutes this morning.
MEN’S 200 BUTTERFLY – HEATS
- World Record: Kristof Milak, Hungary – 1:50.34 (2022)
- World Junior Record: Kristof Milak, Hungary – 1:53.79 (2017)
- Championship Record: Kristof Milak, Hungary – 1:50.34 (2022)
- 2023 World Champion: Leon Marchand, France – 1:52.43
- Olympic ‘A’ Qualifying Time: 1:55.78, Olympic ‘B’ Qualifying Time: 1:56.36
Top 16 Qualifiers:
- Kregor Zirk (EST) – 1:55.58
- Lewis Clareburt (NZL) – 1:56.10
- Zach Harting (USA) – 1:56.12
- Martin Espernberger (AUT) – 1:56.26
- Krzysztof Chmielewski (POL) – 1:56.37
- Matthew Sates (RSA) – 1:56.40
- Alberto Razzetti (ITA) – 1:56.53
- Richard Marton (HUN) – 1:56.54
- Tomoru Honda (JPN) – 1:56.56
- Michal Chmielewski (POL) – 1:56.83
- Arbidel Gonzalez (ESP) – 1:57.20
- Denys Kesil (UKR) – 1:57.42
- Ondrej Gemov (CZE) – 1:57.45
- Max Litchfield (GBR) – 1:57.48 & Federico Burdisso (ITA) – 1:57.48
- –
- SWIM-OFF REQUIRED: Nao Horomura (JPN) – 1:57.52 & Petar Mitsin (BUL) – 1:57.52 (*UPDATE: Petar Mitsin won the swim-off, recording a time of 1:56.91)
The semi-finals of the men’s 200 fly will be tightly contested, as 10 swimmers cracked the 1:57-barrier this morning. 2nd through 10th are separated by just 0.73. Kregor Zirk of Estonia led the way this morning, clocking a new national record to qualify 1st in 1:55.58.
The 2022 Commonwealth Champion in this event, New Zealand’s Lewis Clareburt, touched in 1:56.10 to claim the 2nd seed. Team USA’s Zach Harting will advance in 3rd, posting a swift 1:56.12 marker.
The Chmielewski twins from Poland both safely advanced to tonight’s semi-finals, with Krzysztof (1:56.37) touching ahead of brother Michal (1:56.83) to lead a 1-2 finish in heat 4. Both twins currently train with the USC Trojans in the United States.
The 2023 bronze medalist in this event, Tomoru Honda of Japan, hit the touchpad in 1:56.56 this morning. If he can near his best time of 1:52.70 here in Doha, he could very well leave with a gold medal around his neck.
Austria’s Martin Espernberger (1:56.26) posted the 4th fastest time of the morning, while South African star Matthew Sates (1:56.40) advances in 6th. Chad Le Clos of South Africa, who won gold at the London 2012 Olympics in this event, did not show up for his heat this morning.
MEN’S 800 FREESTYLE – HEATS
- World Record: Zhang Lin, China – 7:32.12 (2009)
- World Junior Record: Lorenzo Galossi, Italy – 7:43.37 (2022)
- Championship Record: Zhang Lin, China – 7:32.12 (2009)
- 2023 World Champion: Ahmed Hafnaoui, Tunisia – 7:37.00
- Olympic ‘A’ Qualifying Time: 7:51.65, Olympic ‘B’ Qualifying Time: 7:54.01
Top 8 Qualifiers:
- Luca De Tullio (ITA) – 7:46.52
- Daniel Wiffen (IRL) – 7:46.90
- Sven Schwarz (GER) – 7:46.95
- Victor Johansson (SWE) – 7:47.04
- Kristof Rasovszky (HUN) – 7:47.19
- Mykhailo Romanchuk (UKR) – 7:47.20
- Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA) – 7:47.38
- Elijah Winnington (AUS) – 7:47.59
In heat 2 of 5, Greece’s Dimitrios Markos posted a swift 7:49.97 to take the heat win. The swim shatters his previous listed best time of 7:52.60, and cracks the previous Greek national record of 7:51.27 produced by Konstantinos Englezakis in 2020.
American David Johnston demolished his personal best en route to winning heat 3, touching in 7:48.20. His previous best time was 7:51.70, which he posted at the 2023 U.S. World Championship Trials.
Germany’s Florian Wellbrock led heat 4 through the first 500 meters, but Luca De Tullio, Daniel Wiffen, and Gregorio Paltrinieri picked up the pace over the last 300m. De Tullio made his move with 150 to go, and would ultimately hold on to secure the heat win. Wiffen (7:46.90) touched for 2nd, while Victor Johansson (7:47.04) of Sweden charged over the final 50 to secure 3rd. The time by Johansson is another Swedish record, backing up record-breaking 400 from day one.
The final heat featured another great race, with Sven Schwarz of Germany grabbing the win in 7:46.95. Kristof Rasovszky of Hungary, Mykhailo Romanchuk of Ukraine, and Elijah Winnington of Australia finished 2nd through 4th in this heat, all safely advancing to tomorrow’s final.
2022 silver medalist Florian Wellbrock of Germany missed out on the final, placing 10th in 7:48.17. Defending champion Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia touched in 7:51.72 for 18th overall, and will not have the opportunity to defend his title.
I just don’t know why a swim-off for 16th spot is necessary. (For any event; but especially for a 200 fly !!). I can’t see what would be unfair about drawing straws and putting one of the guys in Lane 0, for a nine-person semi-final. I would not even oppose a tie for 8th in a semi, resulting in a nine-person final. If you want to consider what IS NOT fair, it might be making the eventual 16th place winner of the swim-off having to race with one extra 200 fly to go through. It’s not like 16th place is usually considered a contender for the medal. Of course, it has happened, but jus sayin …
Memorable for sure though!
I just got home and had time to read the recap and I got to that point and literally said out loud: “Oh, f… me! Poor guys!”
Why would you do this to anyone!? a 200 fly swim off is so unnecessary!
Gregorio in lane 1 again… outside smoke incoming
Maybe Hafnaoui wasn’t showing up to class or practice at IU
Or maybe he’s washed
Doubt washed but definitely not ready.
He won 2 World Championships while training with Indiana, then he left.
By all accounts, he did really well in his first year of classes at Indiana.
So I don’t think the joke really works on either level.
Was he taking classes last year?
Who is at this stage seems almost guaranteed to gold in the Olympics. Looks like a great games every event hard to pick
Ledecky, McIntosh and Marchand seem like the only individuals with an insurmountable lead. Also Aussie girls freestyle relays. That’s probably it.
After how peaty has looked Qin also. Arguably Qin x2.
August is some way off.
So I think Peaty might be decent in the 100 come Paris. He was 58.6 in semis and think he will just get better. Furthermore, if Marchand swims the 200 breast I think he is right there with Qin. His 206 was at a meet that he was nowhere near his best times in his key event. Strangely I think he might be more vulnerable in the 200, the event he is the WR holder than the 100. All conditional on what Marchand does.
Ledecky – 1500, 800 if McIntosh (as expected) doesn’t swim it
McIntosh – 400IM, leaning this way for 200fly
Marchand – 400IM
AUS W4X100 & 4X200 – most likely but would want to see some actual times from key people before locking this in
Qin – 100BRS – again would like to see some 2024 times
glad someone said this. This is actually turning out to be a great WC without the usual suspects.
The are no guarantees at this this level.
The men’s breast field at this worlds is top notch….esp 50&100!
Nic Fink is killing it! Let’s see what he can do in Paris24 ! Routing for Peaty to make the 50br final tonight!
It is a bit of a reality check, having to route for Peaty just to make it into a final for a 50, let alone to get on the podium.
I was hoping these worlds without Qin could act as an opportunity to make a statement and to show the rest of the world he is back, but it appears there is still a long way to go before he is anywhere close to his best.
Fink does look awesome and will be difficult to beat, though I expect Shymanovich and Williamson to give him a good fight.
You are reading too much into it, he went slower than his opening 50 of the 100 in semis and final, he will final.
I suggest you wait to see how he swims this evening.
This is some of the best he’s swam recently. He’s just come off a training camp so no doubt not tapered. He holds a lot of muscle and swimmers like him need a good taper to be firing.
Surprised no mention of Addison Sauickie in the recap. Made it through to semis of 2 free in her first senior meet! Great shot of making the final too.
Maybe I’m blind and didn’t see her name before but she’s there now, so thanks Sean or whoever added her in (if yall did). But again maybe i’m blind
How did your favorite female SA swim this week?
A swimoff for 16th in the 2 fly is absolutely brutal
Did they do the gentleman’s agreement to cruise the first 150 and throw down a last 50 for it, like last time?
No, MItsin (who won the swim-off) but also Horomura were faster than in the heats
Shame. The 2019 swim off was amazing.
Is there a video of it somewhere M d e?