2022 Short Course Worlds: Day 2 Prelims 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 2 PRELIMS HEAT SHEET

Mixed 4×50 Medley Relay Lineups

Women’s 4×200 Free Relay Lineups

The second prelims session starts off differently than normal: we’ll have a swim-off for the final spot in the men’s 50 fly final between new world junior record holder Ilya Kharun and Estonia’s Daniel Zaitsev. The swim-off would usually have taken place at the end of finals, but it was moved to prelims because Kharun swam on Canada’s 4×100 freestyle relay.

After that, we’re back to our scheduled programming, with heats of the mixed 4×50 medley relay, the 100 free, 100 breast, and women’s 4×200 free relay. There’s also the slower heats of the women’s 800m freestyle, which is timed finals.

The first session of finals was electric, with both the men’s and women’s 4×100 freestyle relay world records going down, courtesy of Italy and Australia. Swimmers will look to build on their momentum from Day 1 here, including Emma McKeon, who threw down a blistering 49.96 anchor on Australia’s relay. Don’t expect her to bring that firepower during heats of the individual 100 free, but she’s certainly established herself as the favorite for the race.

Long-course world record holder David Popovici is set to make his debut at this meet this session, with heats of the 100 freestyle. He’s slated to race next to Hwang Sunwoo, a familiar competitor. Despite Popovici’s long-course world record, it’s Australia’s Kyle Chalmers (the short course world record holder), who’s the favorite for gold in that event. Expect both to conserve energy and do just as much as necessary to move on.

Men’s 50m Fly Semifinals – Swim-off

• World Record: 21.75 – Nicholas Santos, BRA (2018)
• World Junior Record: 22.28 – Ilya Kharun, CAN (2022)
• Championship Record: 21.81 – Nicholas Santos, BRA (2018)
• 2021 Champion: 21.93 – Nicholas Santos, BRA

1. Daniel Zaitsev (EST) – 22.15
2. Ilya Kharun (CAN) – 22.28

Ilya Kharun equaled the world junior record that he swam in the semi-finals, but it wasn’t enough to advance to the finals. Estonia’s Daniel Zaitsev got his hands on the wall first, ripping 22.15, a new lifetime best.

Mixed 4x50m Medley Relay – Prelims

• World Record: 1:36.18 – Netherlands (2021)
• World Junior Record: 1:41.21 – United States (2021)
• Championship Record: 1:36.20 – Netherlands (2021)
• 2021 Champion: 1:36.20 – Netherlands (2021)

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. United States – 1:36.83
2. Germany – 1:37.90
3. Great Britain – 1:38.46
4. Netherlands – 1:38.59
5. Japan – 1:38.64
6. Italy – 1:38.91
7. China – 1:39.00
8. Canada – 1:39.01

It was a strange sight in the first heat of the mixed medley relay as China and Australia were in lanes 1 and 8, respectively. With just the freestyle leg to go, China was over a second ahead of the world record, but fell of the Netherlands’ pace during the last 50 meters. They still won the heat, posting 1:39.00, with Australia second in 1:39.41.

Like China, the United States was well ahead of the world record line when Alex Walsh dove into the water for the freestyle leg. The line caught up with her just after the turn, but the Americans still dominated the heat, taking over the top time with 1:36.83. They went with the lineup of Shaine Casas (22.98), Michael Andrew (25.56), Kate Douglass (24.37), and Walsh (23.92).

In the most balanced heat yet, Germany earned the win in 1:37.90 ahead of Great Britain (1:38.46) and Italy (1:38.91). Anna Hopkin flew home for the Brits, but ran out of room to catch Angelina Kohler. In his debut at these championships, Adam Peaty split 25.49, right on his flat start best time 25.41. After scratching out of the 50 fly on Day 1, Ben Proud split 22.42.

The Netherlands won the final heat, holding off a last minute charge from Japan to clock 1:38.59 to 1:38.64. Ilya Kharun, fresh off his swim-off for the 50 fly final, helped Canada earn third, squeaking into the final in eighth.

Notably, the Australians missed the final, finishing 10th with a team of Bradley Woodward, Grayson Bell, Alexandria Perkins, and Meg Harris. 

Women’s 800m Freestyle – Timed Finals, Slowest Heats

• World Record: 7:57.42 – Katie Ledecky, USA (2022)
• World Junior Record: 7:59.44 – Wang Jianjiahe, CHN (2018)
• Championship Record: 8:02.90 – Li Bingjie, CHN (2021)
• 2021 Champion: 8:02.90 – Li Bingjie, CHN

The first of these two heats during the prelims session saw a two swimmer race between South Africa’s Stephanie Houtman and Malta’s Sasha Gatt. Houtman extended her lead during the last 100 meters of the race, and ended up taking the win by over a second, 8:39.15 to 8:40.76.

In the second and final heat of the women’s 800 free during this session, Imani de Jong and Deniz Ertan eked out a small lead ahead of the group. Ertan fell away as the race wore on, but Brazil’s Gabrielle Roncatto and Japan’s Yukimi Moriyama got in on the action. It was a close race all the way to the wall, with Roncatto taking the lead in 8:25.45, with Moriyama in second just one-hundredth behind. de Jong earned third in 8:25.84.

Women’s 100m Freestyle – Prelims

• World Record: 50.25 – Cate Campbell, AUS (2017)
• World Junior Record: 51.45 – Kayla Sanchez, (2018)
• Championship Record: 50.98 – Siobhan Haughey, HKG (2021)
• 2021 Champion: 50.98 – Siobhan Haughey, HKG

Top 16 Qualifiers: 

1. Siobhan Haughey (HKG) – 52.04
2. Marrit Steenbergen (NED)/Emma McKeon (AUS) – 52.23
3. –
4. Beryl Gastaldello (FRA) – 52.34
5. Madi Wilson (AUS) – 52.43
6. Torri Huske (USA) – 52.48
7. Barbora Seemanova (CZE) – 52.54
8. Taylor Ruck (CAN)/Kasia Wasick (POL) – 52.56
9. –
10. Michelle Coleman (SWE) – 52.67
11. Natalie Hinds (USA) – 52.86
12. Sara Junevik (SWE) – 52.91
13. Cheng Yujie (CHN) – 53.03
14. Anna Hopkin (GBR) – 53.06
15. Snaefridur Jorunnardottir (ISL) – 53.21
16. Stephanie Balduccini (BRA) – 53.32

In heat 7, the first of the seeded heats, Taylor Ruck who led the way through 75 meters, but in a tight finish, it was Madi Wilson who got her hand on the wall first. Wilson posted a 52.43, while Barbora Seemanova grabbed second, with Ruck in third.

Torri Huske flew off the blocks, but at the 50-meter mark defending champion Siobhan Haughey took over, earning the win in 52.04. France’s Beryl Gastaldello finished second in 52.34, while Huske was third in 52.48.

In the final heat, Emma McKeon and Marrit Steenbergen tied for the win, posting 52.23. After her 49.96 100 freestyle split on the 4×100 freestyle relay during Day 1 finals, we know that McKeon can be a lot faster, and she looked relaxed in the water as she moves through to the semifinals tied for second seed.

Men’s 100m Freestyle – Prelims

• World Record: 44.84 – Kyle Chalmers, AUS (2021)
• World Junior Record: 46.11 – Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2018)
• Championship Record: 45.51 – Vladimir Morozov, RUS (2014)
• 2021 Champion: 45.57 – Alessandro Miressi, ITA

Top 16 Qualifiers: 

1. Jordan Crooks (CAY) – 45.61
2. Maxime Grousset (FRA) 45.77
3. Kyle Chalmers (AUS) – 45.84
4. David Popovici (ROU) – 46.15
5. Alessandro Miressi (ITA) – 46.22
6. Hwang Sunwoo (KOR) – 46.36
7. Thomas Ceccon (ITA) – 46.41
8. Youssef Ramadan (EGY) – 46.51
9. Tom Dean (GBR) – 46.54
10. Heiko Gigler (AUT) – 46.64
11. PanZhanle (CHN) – 46.79
12. Sergio de Celis (ESP) – 46.80
13. Lewis Burras (GBR) – 46.92
14. Pedro Spajari (BRA) – 46.94
15. Matthew Temple (AUS) – 46.98
16. Mikel Schreuders (ARU) – 47.03

Division II’s Lamar Taylor, who represents the Bahamas had a huge swim in heat 5, posting 47.76. In the very next heat, Jordan Crooks had a huge swim of his own, blazing 45.61. Crooks’ didn’t have a time registered under 49 seconds coming into this meet, so this marks a big lifetime best for him.

In the last of the unseeded heats, Tom Dean and Lewis Burras went 1-2. Dean took over from Burras on the back half of the race, posting a 46.54 compared to Burras’ 46.92.

The next heat was filled with huge names: David Popovici, Hwang Sunwoo, and Maxime Grousset, and Drew Kibler. Popovici moved up on the final 25-meters, but it was Grousset who won the heat with a 45.77. Popovici finished second in 46.15, edging out Hwang who touched third in 46.36.

A crucial part of Italy’s world record in the 4×100 free relay, Alessandro Miressi wasted no time establishing a lead in heat 10. He controlled the race from start to finish, hitting 46.22. He won by over four-tenths ahead of Austria’s Heiko Gigler.

The final heat of prelims saw Kyle Chalmers face-off with Thomas Ceccon. It was Youssef Ramadan who lead at the halfway point, but Chalmers built into the race, posting 45.84. Ceccon snuck ahead of Ramadan for second, swimming 46.41 to compared to the Egyptian’s 46.51.

With Drew Kibler earning 17th in 47.05 and Hunter Armstrong in a three-way tie for 18th (47.11), both Americans miss the semifinals.

Women’s 100m Breaststroke – Prelims

• World Record: 1:02.36 – Alia Atkinson, JAM/Ruta Meilutyte, LTU  (2014/2013)
• World Junior Record: 1:02.36 – Ruta Meilutyte, LTU (2013)
• Championship Record: 1:02.36 – Alia Atkinson, JAM (2014)
• 2021 Champion: 1:03.47 – Tang Qianting, CHN

Top 16 Qualifiers: 

1. Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) – 1:03.81
2. Lara van Niekerk (RSA) – 1:03.93
3. Lilly King (USA) – 1:03.94
4. Tang Qianting (CHN) – 1:04.07
5. Tes Schouten (NED) – 1:04.22
6. Anna Elendt (GER) – 1:04.53
7. Mai Fukasawa (JPN) – 1:04.57
8. Reona Aoki (JPN) – 1:04.58
9. Sophie Hansson (SWE) – 1:04.64
10. Sydney Pickrem (CAN) – 1:04.73
11. Thea Blomsterberg (DEN) – 1:04.74
12. Imogen Clark (GBR) – 1:05.05
13. Benedetta Pilato (ITA) – 1:05.21
14. Ida Hulkko (FIN) – 1:05.1:05.25
15. Charlotte Bonnet (FRA)/Yang Chang (CHN) – 1:05.28
16. –

14-year-old Sua Moon of Korea won heat 3 in 1:06.96, the only swimmer in her heat under 1:07. Imogen Clark dominated the next heat–the last unseeded–winning with a 1:05.05.

In heat 5, Lilly King made her debut in Melbourne, racing Anna Elendt and Commonwealth Games champion Lara van Niekerk. van Niekerk made her move on the back half of the race, and touched first in 1:03.93. King was second in 1:03.94, just a hundredth behind. Tes Schouten flew home to take third in 1:04.22.

The penultimate heat saw the reigning short course and long course world champions Tang Qianting and Benedetta Pilato go head-to-head. Tang got the defense of her medal off to a good start, earning the win in 1:04.07. The other American in the event, Annie Lazor, was seventh in the heat.

After winning the World Cup Triple Crown in this event, Ruta Meilutyte got out to a fast start, turning in 29.64. She led from start to finish, putting it in cruise control in the final meters and touching in 1:03.81. She’ll have the fastest time heading into the semifinals.

Men’s 100m Breaststroke – Prelims

• World Record: 55.28 – Ilya Shymanovich, BLR (2021)
• World Junior Record: 56.66 – Simone Cerasuolo, ITA (2021)
• Championship Record: 55.70 – Ilya Shymanovich, BLR (2021)
• 2021 Champion: 55.70 – Ilya Shymanovich, BLR

Top 16 Qualifiers: 

1. Nicolo Martinenghi (ITA) – 56.60
2. Yuya Hinomoto (JPN) – 56.62
3. Qin Haiyang (CHN) – 56.66
4. Adam Peaty (GBR) – 56.81
5. Nic Fink (USA) – 57.02
6. Ippei Watanabe (JPN) – 57.11
7. Antoine Viquerat (FRA) – 57.18
8. Lucas Matzerath (GER) – 57.22
9. Simone Cerasuolo (ITA) – 57.24
10. Caspar Corbeau (NED) – 57.53
11. Bernhard Reitshammer (AUT) – 57.66
12. Carl Ait Kaci (FRA) – 57.68
13. Emre Sakci (TUR) – 57.70
14. Joshua Yong (AUS) – 57.77
15. Caio Pumputis (BRA) – 57.78
16. Matej Zabojnik (CZE) – 57.87

Heat 5 saw Macau’s Man Hou Chou hit his entry time of 58.01 exactly to win the heat. Maximillian Ang finished second in 58.10, setting a new Singapore national record. With Teong Tzen Wei swimming an Asian and Singapore record in the 50 fly on Day 1, that makes the second Singapore record to fall in as many days.

In his individual SC Worlds debut, Adam Peaty led his heat through the first 75 meters. Both Nicolo Martinenghi and Qin Haiyang caught the Brit on the final 25, with Martinenghi taking the win in 56.60. Qin was just sixth -hundredths back, with Peaty finishing third in 56.81.

Nic Fink made his move on the third 25 meters, taking the lead from the Italian Simone Cerasuolo. Fink, who went 9-for-9 in breaststroke events at the World Cup, won the final heat with 57.02, while Cerasuolo finished in 57.24. Caspar Corbeau finished third in 57.53.

Continuing a rough prelims session for the American men, Michael Andrew (58.22) finished 25th and missed the semifinals.

Women’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay – Prelims

• World Record: 7:32.85 – Netherlands (2014)
• World Junior Record: 7:43.73 – Benchmark
• Championship Record: 7:32.85 – Netherlands (2014)
• 2021 Champion: 7:32.96 – Canada

Top 8 Qualifiers: 

1. United States – 7:42.91
2. Australia – 7:44.77
3. Netherlands – 7:45.73
4. China – 7:45.88
5. Canada – 7:46.70
6. Brazil – 7:48.42
7. Japan – 7:49.76
8. New Zealand – 7:50.73

With a quartet of Erika Brown, Hali Flickinger, Jillian Cox, and Leah Smith, the American women won their heat easily, posting 7:42.91. That would stand as the quickest time of the session, and secures them lane 4 for the final.

Prior to the second heat of relays, the announcing team on the FINA Youtube stream reported that a medical issue had forced Australia to change their line-up at the last minute. Indeed, when the relays walked out it was Rebecca Taylor anchoring the Aussies instead of Jamie Perkins.

Update: According to a Swimming Australia spokesperson, Jamie Perkins has been managing a back injury. Following her 800 freestyle swim earlier in the session, the injury was sore so the decision was made to pull her from the relay. 

Despite the last minute change, Australia won their heat, taking over the lead on the second leg. It was Erika Fairweather, fresh off a silver medal performance in the 400 free, who had the fastest lead-off, clocking 1:54.24 for a new New Zealand record. The previous mark was 1:54.97, held by Lauren Boyle since 2013.

Australia posted 7:44.77, and they have plenty of options for who they want to field on their relay tonight. Canada finished second in the heat with 7:46.70, swimming away from Brazil on the anchor leg.