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Rapsys Rips 3:33.20 400 Free Championships, Lithuanian Record In Glasgow

2019 LEN EUROPEAN SHORT COURSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Lithuania’s Danas Rapsys wanted to win this men’s 400m free from the get-go, firing off an opening split of 1:45.37 at the 200m mark, never looking back. He left Italians Gabriele Detti and Matteo Ciampi, not to mention Norwegian World Championships medalist Henrik Christiansen in the dust.

Leading the stacked field from start to finish, the 24-year-old World Championships medalist threw down a time of 3:33.20 to not only top the podium by well over 4 seconds, but also claim a new Championships Record in the process. Rapsys’ time tonight took over the previous European Short Course Championships mark of 3:34.55 set by German ace Paul Biedermann 10 years ago.

Rapsys’ time tonight also represents a new Lithuanian national record, overtaking the 3:34.01 he produced for gold at the 2018 Short Course World Championships in Hangzhou, China. That outing made Rapsys the 3rd fastest performer all-time in the event, a slot he maintains after this swim.

Splits for his previous and new records are as follows:

Old Record of 3:34.01: 51.00/1:45.58/2:40.23/3:34.01

New Record of 3:33.20: 51.21/1:45.37/2:39.87/3:33.20

Relative newcomer Tom Dean of Great Britain, just 19 years of age, produced a lifetime best of 3:37.95 for silver, while Detti clocked 3:38.06 for bronze.

ALL-TIME TOP PERFORMERS, MEN’S 400 FREESTYLE

  1. Yannick Agnel (FRA), 3:32.25
  2. Paul Biedermann (GER), 3:32.77
  3. Danas Rapsys (LTU), 3:33.20

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Jeff
4 years ago

Scott v Rapsys in the 200 free tomorrow is going to be great. Can’t wait!!!

ERVINFORTHEWIN
4 years ago
Sir Swimsalot
4 years ago

This man will take the crown from Sun. He’s looking really good.

SWMIN
4 years ago

Really want this dude to make some moves on the record board.

Samesame
4 years ago

So fastest textile ?

Togger
Reply to  Samesame
4 years ago

The World Record is from 2012. Still, incredibly quick swim.

Mr Piano
Reply to  Togger
4 years ago

Agnel was amazing… it’s a huge shame he finished his career the way he did. I wonder if it’s possible he could contemplate a comeback for 2024, when Paris hosts the Olympics.

I know it sounds nuts but I think Anthony Ervin opened the doors to male swimmers being able to take massive amounts of time off swimming and being able to come back. I know Brent Hayden took 7 years off, and after 2 months of training, he recently 24.3 from a push in practice. Perhaps Agnel could come back for a 4×100 free relay on home soil.

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Mr Piano
4 years ago

Of all the retirees, he sounded the most content with his decision. He’s seriously into his career in gaming stuff. https://www.france24.com/en/video/20190207-yannick-agnel-swimming-e-sports

The Ready Room
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
4 years ago

Oh wow, fascinating. Very interesting left turn. He’s also incredibly well spoken.

Mr Piano
4 years ago

I hope he goes 1:43 next year.

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  Mr Piano
4 years ago

or even better – why limit this wonderfully talented guy?

Dee
4 years ago

His 200fr next year is going to be electric!

The Ready Room
Reply to  Dee
4 years ago

Dude is dangerous. Like Agnel-in-2012 level dangerous.

Mr Piano
Reply to  The Ready Room
4 years ago

Agnel was 1:44.97 the year before London in the 200 free, Rapsys is 1:44.38. I think a 1:43.5 could be in the cards

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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