2021 LEN EUROPEAN AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Swimming: Monday, May 17th – Sunday, May 23rd, 2021
- Budapest, Hungary
- Prelims at 10:00 am local/Finals at 6:00 pm local
- Event Site
- Entry List
- Live Results
- Live Stream
Just 24 hours after lowering the long course 50 backstroke world record to a 23.93, Kliment Kolesnikov improved by another 0.13 seconds to win the European Championships final with a 23.80.
That gives Kolesnikov, once again, the new Russian, World, and Championship record in the event.
Kolesnikov lead the men’s 50 backstroke field the entire way through, first establishing a 24.23 to win the heats, followed by a 23.93 WR in the semi-final, capped off by a 23.80 to nab gold for Russia. With that swim, Kolesnikov now holds the 3 fastest performances in the event as well as 4 out of the top 6 performances in history.
Top 5 Men’s LCM 50 Backstroke Performances:
- 23.80 – Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) 2021
- 23.93 – Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) 2021
- 24.00 – Kliment Kolesnikov 2018
- 24.04 – Liam Tancock (GBR) 2009
- 24.07 – Camile Lacourt (FRA) 2010
- 24.08 – Kliment Kolesnikov Kolesnikov 2021
Kolesnikov was followed in the 50 backstroke final at this year’s European Championships by Romanian record holder Robert Glinta who swam a 24.42 for silver which was just a bit over his NR in the event of 24.12 from 2018. Hugo Gonzalez followed for Spain, hitting a 24.47 Spanish record for bronze. That swim for Gonzalez was just 0.01 seconds under the previous mark of 24.48 that Aschwin Wildeboer set at the 2009 World Championships.
2021 European Swimming Championships Men’s 50 Backstroke Final
What are the odds he breaks the WR in the 100 fr tomorrow?
I think he’ll be 47-low again, maybe right around his 47.2 from trials or slightly faster (like 47.15 ish)
Wonder when the last time a backstroker owned the 100free WR. I assume if he breaks the 100free record, the 100back WR will also go this week.
I like that the 100free has consistently stayed just narrowly beyond the finger tip of what’s been possible for the best textile swimmers this past decade.
True. Interesting that in Tokyo the 100 free may be a showdown between the best 100 backstroker ever vs. the best 100 butterflyer ever
This only happened in women’s 100bk/fr, with Kornelia Ender. As a WR holder in 100fr, she broke the WR in 100bk (1’01″62, 6/3/76).
If Rowdy was commenting, you’d have thought Kolesnikov would get dead last based on his reaction time.
LOL!
https://youtu.be/2U6yf19mlEY
I can’t wait for the rematch between him and Rylov. Rylov has been 51.97 before on a mixed relay lead off, and while he triumphed over Kolesnikov last time, Kliment only seems to be in better shape than he was for that 52.24.
Russia may sweep the backstrokes in Tokyo. Rylov has owned the 200 back for the last couple of years, and with his recent European record in the event this year it doesn’t seem like he’s going to let go of that grasp. He’s far and away the man to beat there. On the other hand, the 100 back field is loaded. You’re going to have the WR and defending Olympic champion Murphy, the 2 time world… Read more »
Yeah, we’ll see what happens but I would be very surprised if the US wins either backstroke race at this point. There were doubters in 2016 but that was based more off of a poor US showing at 2015 WCs… This year doubts seem more focused on how absurdly deep the competition is.
That said, Magnusson looked untouchable in 2012, so being fast in the spring doesn’t guarantee anything. The backstrokes will be very interesting races this summer.
KK had the slowest reaction time too 0.69. The fastest belongs to Ferguson 0.47. KK could have improved his WR by even lower if he could improve his RT.
Hi Rowdy
Not necessarily. I mean of course if his reaction time improved he’d be faster. But, his start is with head close to the block and then recoil — that takes time, especially at 6 foot 6 inches. But he whips his heat and arms over so much it’s almost like a slingshot track start. He’s sacrificing RT for entry speed, and obviously it works. Dressel doesn’t have otherworldly reaction time and we all know about his start.
The start ends when the swimmer comes up from the breakout, not off the blocks. That’s what my coach always told me!
His stroke turnover rate is absolutely amazing & he really maintains his feel for the water, obviously! He is only going to get better too.
shaving that much off a 50 is insane.
Hope he keeps the best for Tokyo and doesn’t do a Cseh 2016
BRUHHHHHHHHH