On the heels of World Championships medalist Andrei Minakov of Russia withdrawing from the International Swimming League (ISL) to preserve his NCAA eligibility, the 17-year-old has now scaled back his racing schedule for the remaining of the year.
Per Russian media, Minakov will be opting out of the Russian Championships slated for November, the meet which serves as the qualification competition for December’s European Short Course Championships. Additionally, the 100m fly silver medalist from Gwangju will most likely not be competing at the remaining FINA World Cup Series stops, of which there’s a meet in Kazan in early November.
Says Minakov, “It was decided to skip both the Russian Championship in Kazan and the European Championship, respectively. We also don’t think I’m swimming at the World Cups. My coach and I came to a consensus that we need to recover from the past long season, as well as gain strength and do the necessary work in on the eve of the Olympic season.”
Earlier this month we reported how Minakov would be relinquishing his spot on the Energy Standard ISL team, intending to enroll at an American university after the 2020 Olympics.
Minakov wowed the stacked 100m fly field at this year’s World Championships by racing his way to silver behind winner Caeleb Dressel of the United States. He produced a new Russian national record time of 50.83 to beat out the likes of South Africa’s Chad Le Clos, who settled for bronze in 51.16, as well as newly-minted 200m fly World Record holder Kristof Milak of Hungary who took 4th in the race.
Gain strength? Does anyone know if lifts already? Looks pretty muscular
Really like how this young an thinks. He has a VERY bright future!
It has been an hefty season for Minakov with home Eurojuniors in early July, Worlds three weeks later and then Junior Worlds in late August.
Minakov showed a remarkable capability to give the best when necessary ( 100 fly at Worlds to grab silver) and also at Junior Worlds he swam a great free relay-split. Like Rylov, also Minakov looks solid and “relay-focused”.
The second act, in Tokyo, of mens medley relay among Great Britain, Usa and Russia will be a show.
He’s 17. Glad he’s taking it slow and hopefully enjoying more than just swimming and traveling. No place like home
49 incoming?
Definitely! Dressel who?