TURKISH SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 4
- Dates: May 25-29, 2016
- Location: Mersin, Turkey
- Live Results
Two more national records fell, including another from Huseyin Emre Sakçi, and junior world record holder Viktoria Zeynep Gunes was again victorious on day four of the 2016 Turkish Swimming Championships.
Following up on his record-setting performance in the men’s 50-meter breaststroke, Sakçi again came out ahead of teammate and former record holder Demir Atasoy in the 100. Atasoy went out in a blistering 28.45 to establish a lead, but Sakci showed superior closing speed over his rival (32.93 to 33.65) to win in 1:01.74. That clipped Atasoy’s 1:02.01 standard set at the 2013 World Championships in Barelona. Atasoy wound up second in 1:02.10.
The only other record of the session came from Turker Kaan Ayar in the men’s 100-meter butterfly, who clipped his own record from the European Championships earlier this month with a final time of 53.67. Ayar was challenged early in the race by Berk Ozkul, with both swimmers touching in 25.21 at the opening 50, before Ayar pulled away over the final 50 meters. Ozkul settled for second in 54.46.
National star Viktoria Zeynep Gunes earned her fourth individual gold medal of the meet in commanding fashion, bettering her nearest competition by over 1.5 seconds in the women’s 100-meter breaststroke. Gunes touched in 1:09.03, well off her 1:07.93 from London just ten days ago, but more than enough for the win. Finishing second was up-and-coming 16-year-old Gulsen Beste Samanci, who finished in 1:10.71.
Nida Eliz Ustundag captured her second national title of the weekend with a win in the women’s 100-meter butterfly in 1:01.26. Known for her closing speed as the Turkish national champion and record holder in the 200-meter fly, Ustundag overcame an early deficit to Aleyna Ozkan in the opening 50 (28.61 to 29.00) behind a strong second 50 for the victory. Ozkan earned silver in 1:01.61.
17-year-old Sezin Eligul (women’s 200 freestyle, 2:03.50) and Doga Celik (men’s 200 freestyle, 1:49.27) were the other winners of the night, each earning their second title of the weekend.