2017 HUNGARIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
- April 19th-22nd, 2017
- Debrecen, Hungary
- LCM
- Results
- Day 1 Recap
On day 2 of the 2017 Hungarian National Championships, iron lady Katinka Hosszu swam all 3 of the women’s events in finals. Her strongest performance came in the 200 IM, where she blasted a 2:09.38 to win gold and become the fastest performer in the world this year. Hosszu was 3 seconds ahead of the field, as fellow Olympian Zsuzsanna Jakabos came in 2nd in 2:12.38.
Hosszu also picked up a silver in the 400 free and finished 4th in the 50 fly. In the 400 free, she battled closely with Olympic medalist Boglarka Kapas and distance standout Ajna Kesely. In the first 200, Kesely established a lead she would never relinquish, as she powered to a 4:06.64 to take down Hosszu (4:07.52) and Kapas (4:07.65).
On the men’s side, international veteran Laszlo Cseh pulled in a pair of wins on day 2. Cseh, who took a break after Rio and returned to training in January, took on the 200 IM and 50 fly. In the 200 IM, he put up a 1:59.43 to surpass David Verraszto as the fastest Hungarian of 2017 and earn a #14 world ranking. Cseh returned to the pool for the 50 fly, where he was the only man to break 24 seconds with his 23.94.
Following the session, Cseh said he was feeling better about his day 2 performance than day 1. Here’s a translated version of his post-race quote:
“Yesterday was not a big problem, but today was a much better feeling. These 2 wins are good for the soul, though I stress yesterday was not broken, I just do not like it when I do not win.”
Additional Day 2 Event Winners:
- Men’s 400 Free- Peter Bernek, 3:49.60
- Women’s 50 Fly- Flora Molnar, 26.71
So, who will swim 400FR at WC, Hosszu or Kapas? If Hosszu is going to add this event to her program then I would call it a really crazy idea. If she isn’t going then what was the purpose to compete now at this meet? Local competition? To be the best Hungarian female swimmer? At the end it is the National Championships. Should I was Boglarka Kapas I wouldn’t accept such a gift from Hosszu. Kapas is national record holder at this event and was really close to medal in Rio with 4:02 performance. But fortunately she isn’t me and may look at such situation differently.
Kapas did medal, though.
Yes, Kapas did it at 800, but I was talking about 400 where the competition was unusually strong ( bronze medalist – 4:01). Because of Ledecky we are getting forgotten how fast 4:01 actually is. Only Camille Muffat and Allison Schmitt have been under 4:02 before in their epic duel in London Olympics.
Katinka Hosszu’s personal best is 4:04.96 and was set in May last year. Now she is 3 sec slower. If this champIonships is the only meet used for WC selection process then I don’t get her: why was she in this race?
Kapas has a faster time this meet is not the only qualifying. It’s been said a lot of times already
I repost my previous post:
“This year in Hungary the best 2 times qualifies from 1 March 2006 till and of this LC championship (if the 2 best times are level A).
Non filled spots (lack of an A level time) are still open for a race till the end of the official qualification period (qualification always based on times in Hungary, never places in a given race).
That’s why some swimmers with a ‘sure’ time from last year came for the championship from training. (Examples Hosszú, Kapás, Cseh)”
So the race for the 400 free spots is over as (at least) 3 athletes have an A level time. 1. Kapás 2. Hosszú 3. Késely. So… Read more »
Thanks for clarification. So this meet is just a National Championships for Hosszu first of all.
Actually both Kapás and Hosszú is eligible to swim at Worlds. Despite her win yesterday, Késely is only the third in line now (both Kapás and Hosszú has a better time from previous races). Record holder Kapás Will definitely be swimming and the second spot depends entirely on Hosszú: if she wants to swim this, she will, otherwise (and most likely) 15 year old Hungarian Champion Késely Ajna will swim this at Worlds.
I think Kapas and Kesely will swim the 400.