Ruta Meilutyte smashes world record, strong finish for US at World Aquatics Championships
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Silver medallist Lilly King (left) and gold medallist Ruta Meilutyte on the podium of the women's 50m breaststroke event at the World Aquatics Championships on July 30.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
FUKUOKA – Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania set her second world record in as many days in the women’s 50 metres breaststroke, powering to the gold medal in a superb time of 29.16 seconds on the final day of swimming action at the World Aquatics Championships on Sunday.
Meilutyte obliterated the record of 29.30sec that she had jointly held with Benedetta Pilato of Italy, after setting that mark in the semi-finals on Saturday and she sent out a warning to her rivals ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I’m happy. I definitely felt it was possible. I’m enjoying the process along the way,” Meilutyte said.
She was 0.78sec ahead of silver medallist Lilly King of the United States. Pilato took bronze in 30.04sec at the Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall.
Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom had broken her own world record in the women’s 50m freestyle semi-finals in 23.61sec a day earlier and the 29-year-old was almost as quick in the final to claim gold in style.
Sjostrom finished only one hundredth of a second away from her blistering effort for the record to beat Australia’s Shayna Jack, who clocked 24.10sec.
“I’m super-proud that I was able to handle the pressure again. I’ve done this many times now but it’s a battle with emotions,” said Sjostrom, who won a fifth straight world title in the 50m butterfly on Saturday.
Sjostrom’s freestyle victory meant the evergreen swimmer surpassed American great Michael Phelps with her 21st individual medal at the world meet.
Zhang Yufei took bronze in 24.15sec to further swell China’s medal tally.
Ahmed Hafnaoui ensured a second gold of the meeting for Tunisia after edging past Bobby Finke of the United States in a fiercely contested men’s 1,500m free race.
He finished in 14min 31.54sec to miss out on Sun Yang’s world record of 14:31.02.
Finke was a mere 0.05sec behind, with Australia’s Samuel Short, who led for the first half of the race, settling for bronze.
“I think I deserve it. Bobby is so fast in the end of the race, he pushed us. It was so close to the world record. I enjoyed the race. Thanks to Bobby for pushing me,” said Hafnaoui.
Hunter Armstrong had got the US off to a golden start on Sunday as he wrapped up the men’s 50m backstroke title to secure his first individual crown.
The 22-year-old touched the wall in 24.05sec, 0.19 ahead of compatriot Justin Ress with China’s Xu Jiayu taking bronze after finishing 0.45 behind the winner.
Armstrong said “every detail matters” over such a short distance and the result is “rarely a reflection of talent”. “It is who can put together the best race that day,” added the world record holder.
Hunter Armstrong wrapped up the men’s 50m backstroke title to secure his first individual crown.
PHOTO: AFP
Canada’s world record holder Summer McIntosh proved too good for the field in the women’s 400m individual medley, roaring to gold in a championship record time of 4:27.11 for her second victory at the meet and fourth world title overall.
“Going into tonight, I just wanted to see how hard I could push myself, seeing as the 400m individual medley is such a hard event. It’s very strategic, so just learning more and more each time I swim,” said the 16-year-old McIntosh, who also prevailed in the 200m fly to match her haul from Budapest in 2022.
American Katie Grimes took silver after finishing more than four seconds away, while Australia’s Jenna Forrester had to be content with bronze.
(From left) Women’s 400m individual medley silver medallist Katie Grimes, gold medallist Summer McIntosh and bronze medallist Jenna Forrester.
PHOTO: AFP
The US men and women’s teams powered to victory in the 4x100m medley relays as the swimming heavyweights ensured a strong finish to the championships after disappointing displays by some of their compatriots earlier in the week.
The men’s quartet of Ryan Murphy, Nic Fink, Dare Rose and Jack Alexy clocked a championship record 3:27.20 to edge out China and Australia into second and third place respectively.
“We have a lot of pride in representing our country and it’s a great way to go out,” said Murphy.
The American women’s team of Regan Smith, King, Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass then cruised home in 3:52.08 ahead of Australia and Canada respectively.
Said Smith: “This is the cherry on top. Bringing home a gold for Team USA in the last event means so much to me and all of us.”
Australia finished the meet with 13 golds to top the table, ahead of the United States who had seven, while China were third with five.
The next edition of the championships will be hosted by Doha in February 2024. REUTERS, AFP
