2022 Short Course World Champs: Day 2 Finals Live Recap

2022 FINA SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, December 13 to Sunday, December 18, 2022
• Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre, Melbourne, Australia
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DAY 2 FINALS HEAT SHEET

Mixed 4×50 Relay Lineup

Women’s 4×200 Free Relay Lineup

Day two of the 2022 Short Course World Championships is here, bringing us finals of the mixed 4×50 medley relay, women’s 800 free, men’s and women’s 100 back and 50 fly, and women’s 4×200 free relay alongside semifinals of the 100 free and 100 breast.

Perhaps the most anticipated race of tonight is the men’s 50 fly, where 42-year-old Nicholas Santos is looking to add one more world title to his name. Santos has announced his attention to retire following this meet, making this likely his last 50 fly as a competitive swimmer. Santos is the defending SC World Champion in the event and he made it into this final with a 22.08 in semifinals, which is just 0.15 seconds off his winning time from last year.

American Claire Curzan is pulling a tough double today. The 18-year-old is swimming in the final of the women’s 100 back and 50 fly and is in a good position to medal in both.

While it’s just a semifinal, so the stakes aren’t that high, we’ll get to see Lilly King and Ruta Meilutyte go head-to-head in the women’s 100 breast tonight. The pair will be racing in lanes next to each in the second heat of semifinals tonight.

Similarly, we’ll get to see Emma McKeon and Siobhan Haughey race next to each other in the women’s 100 free semifinal tonight, in what is likely going to be a preview of tomorrow’s final.

MIXED 4X50M MEDLEY RELAY – FINALS

• World Record: 1:36.18 – Netherlands (2021)
• World Junior Record: 1:41.21 – United States (2021)
• Championship Record: 1:36.20 – Netherlands (2021)
• 2021 Champion: 1:36.20 – Netherlands (2021)

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: United States – 1:35.15 (WORLD RECORD)
2. SILVER: Italy – 1:36.01
3. BRONZE: Canada – 1:36.93
4. Great Britain – 1:37.07
5. China – 1:37.31
6. Japan – 1:38.38
7. Germany – DQ
8. Netherlands – DQ

Well, this session got out to an exciting start, didn’t it? The Americans shattered the World Record in a stunning performance. It started with Ryan Murphy swimming a sizzling 22.37 on the lead-off, which put the U.S. into the lead. Murphy’s swim was just 0.15 seconds off the men’s 50 back World Record. Nic Fink then split 24.96 on breaststroke, which is just 0.01 seconds slower than the men’s 50 breast World Record.

Though the Americans were already in a great position at that point, it was Kate Douglass who slammed the door shut on everyone else, throwing down a blistering 24.09 fly split. It was a sensational swim for Douglass, as she split 0.29 seconds faster than the women’s 50 fly World Record. Torri Huske brought it home for the United States with a 23.73 on the anchor.

With the swim, the U.S. broke the World Record in the event by over a second.

Italy’s relay was also exceptional, coming in under the previous World Record as well. Lorenzo Mora was great on the lead-off, swimming a 22.59. Nicolo Martinenghi was exceptional on the breaststroke leg, splitting a 24.83, which is 0.12 seconds faster than the World Record in the men’s 50 breast. Silvia di Pietro swam a 24.52 on the fly leg, which is a fantastic split for her, but unfortunately for Italy, Douglass was nearly half-a-second faster for the USA. Constanza Cocconcelli brought it home for the Italians in 24.07. Italy broke the European Record with their performance tonight.

Canada, Great Britain, and China all broke their respective national records in the event as well.

Both Germany and Netherlands were disqualified for false starts. Marius Kusch had a -0.06 reaction time on the third leg of Germany’s relay, while Thom de Boer had a -0.04 reaction on the anchor for Netherlands.

WOMEN’S 800M FREESTYLE – TIMED FINALS

• World Record: 7:57.42 – Katie Ledecky, USA (2022)
• World Junior Record: 7:59.44 – Wang Jianjiahe, CHN (2018)
• Championship Record: 8:02.90 – Li Bingjie, CHN (2021)
• 2021 Champion: 8:02.90 – Li Bingjie, CHN

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Lani Pallister (Australia) – 8:04.07
2. SILVER: Erika Fairweather (New Zealand) – 8:10.41
3. BRONZE: Miyu Namba (Japan) – 8:12.98
4. Leah Smith (United States) – 8:14.24
5. Merve Tuncel (Turkey) – 8:17.89
6. Jillian Cox (United States) – 8:20.95
7. Zhang Ke (China) – 8:24.24
8. Gabrielle Roncatto (Brazil) – 8:25.45

Lani Pallister is adding to her medal haul here on day 2. After winning the women’s 400 free last night, marking her first world title of her career, Pallister now has two titles to her name with a chance to sweep the women’s distance events here in Melbourne.

Pallister’s swim was reminiscent of what we’ve seen from Katie Ledecky in the 800 free for the past decade. She got out to a lead immediately and just kept pulling away from the field as she went. She remained strong and steady through the race, splitting 4:00.23 on the first 400m and coming home in 4:03.84.

For Pallister, the swim also shatters her previous best of 8:07.37, which also stood as the Australian Record in the event.

Erika Fairweather is also building on her momentum from yesterday. Fairweather took silver in the 400 free final yesterday, marking her first major international medal of her career. She’s now adding a second World Championships silver medal to her name based off her swim tonight. She settled into second place behind Pallister early on and held that position throughout the race.

Japan’s Miyu Namba rounded out the podium with a new personal best and Japanese Record of 8:12.98. She also even-split the race, going 4:06.20 on the first 400m, then coming home in 4:06.78.

WOMEN’S 100M FREESTYLE – SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 50.25 – Cate Campbell, AUS (2017)
• World Junior Record: 51.45 – Kayla Sanchez, (2018)
• Championship Record: 50.98 – Siobhan Haughey, HKG (2021)
• 2021 Champion: 50.98 – Siobhan Haughey, HKG

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Emma McKeon (Australia) – 51.28
2. Siobhan Haughey (Hong Kong) – 51.69
3. Madi Wilson (Australia) – 51.82
4. Marrit Steenbergen (Netherlands) – 51.85
5. Beryl Gastaldello (France) – 52.09
6. Torri Huske (United States) – 52.11
7. Natalie Hinds (United States) – 52.16
8. Taylor Ruck (Canada) – 52.27

Emma McKeon led semifinals of the 100 free with a 51.28, getting the better of Siobhan Haughey, who came in second both in the second heat of the semifinal and overall in semifinals. The pair were racing right next to each other in a preview of tomorrow’s final, where they will again be right next to each other.

McKeon left little room for doubt this evening, taking her race out in a 24.62, which was the fastest opening split in the field.

Australia’s sprint core is looking as strong as ever, with Madi Wilson taking third tonight, also swimming under 52 seconds.

Aside from Australia, the USA was the only other country to qualify two swimmers for the final. Americans Torri Huske and Natalie Hinds were sixth and seventh this evening.

MEN’S 100M FREESTYLE – SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 44.84 – Kyle Chalmers, AUS (2021)
• World Junior Record: 46.11 – Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2018)
• Championship Record: 45.51 – Vladimir Morozov, RUS (2014)
• 2021 Champion: 45.57 – Alessandro Miressi, ITA

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Jordan Crooks (Cayman Islands) – 45.55
2. Maxime Grousset (France) – 45.58
3. Kyle Chalmers (Australia) – 45.66
4. Alessandro Miressi (Italy) – 45.74
5. David Popovici (Romania) – 45.91 (World Junior Record)
6. Thomas Ceccon (Italy) – 46.13
7. Pan Zhanle (China) – 46.19
8. Tom Dean (Great Britain) – 46.20

Jordan Crooks set a new personal best en route to posting the top time in semifinals tonight. His 45.55 took 0.06 seconds off his prelims performance of 45.61, which was his personal best. That time also stood as the Cayman Islands Record in the event. He was out very fast, splitting 21.63 on the opening 50.

Maxime Grousset and Kyle Chalmers were right behind Crooks this morning, setting up what should be a thrilling race tomorrow. Alessandro Miressi is also right in that mix, swimming just 0.19 seconds off Crooks’ time.

David Popovici cracked the World Junior Record this evening, swimming a 45.91. That marks Popovici’s first time under 46 seconds in the event, though we still have to assume he has more left in the tank for finals tomorrow.

WOMEN’S 100M BACKSTROKE – FINALS

• World Record: 54.89 – Minna Atherton, AUS (2019)
• World Junior Record: 55.75 – Bella Sims, USA (2022)
• Championship Record: 55.03 – Katinka Hosszu, HUN (2014)
• 2021 Champion: 55.20 – Louise Hansson, SWE

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Kaylee McKeown (Australia) – 55.49
2. Silver: Mollie O’Callaghan (Australia) – 55.62
3. Bronze: Claire Curzan (United States) – 55.74 (Tie)
4. Bronze: Ingrid Wilm (Canada) – 55.74 (Tie)
5. Louise Hansson (Sweden) – 55.89
6. Kylie Masse (Canada) – 56.18
7. Kira Toussaint (Netherlands) – 56.41
8. Isabelle Stadden (United States) – 57.20

In a 1-2 punch for the Australians, it looked like it could be anyone’s race on the final 25m. Kaylee McKeown, fresh off an Oceanic Record performance in the women’s 200 IM final last night, inched into the lead on the final length of the race, getting her hand on the wall first.

In something of an unusual showing for Mollie O’Callaghan, she was out ahead of McKeown, as well as the Bronze medalists, Claire Curzan and Ingrid Wilm. O’Callaghan didn’t have the same closing speed we’ve become accustomed to her utilizing. In fact, her last 25m was her slowest of the race. Either way, it was a great swim for her as well, and she won silver in an Aussie sweep.

Curzan and Wilm tied for the bronze medal. Notably, Curzan will be swimming in the women’s 50 fly final shortly, where she stands a great shot at winning another medal.

Sweden’s Louise Hansson was out fast, splitting 26.66 on the first 50, but was out-split by McKeown, O’Callaghan, Curzan, and Wilm on the back half, and ended up in fifth.

MEN’S 100M BACKSTROKE – FINALS

• World Record: 48.33 – Coleman Stewart, USA (2021)
• World Junior Record: 48.90 – Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2017)
• Championship Record: 48.95 – Stanislav Donetc, RUS (2010)
• 2021 Champion: 49.23 – Shaine Casas, USA

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Ryan Murphy (United States) – 48.50 (Championship Record)
2. SILVER: Lorenzo Mora (Italy) – 49.04
3. BRONZE: Isaaac Alan Cooper (Australia) – 49.52
4. Pieter Coetze (South Africa) – 49.60
5. Apostolos Christou (Greece) – 49.68
6. Kacper Stokowski (Poland) 49.74
7. Mewen Tomac (France) – 49.94
8. Yohann Ndoye0Brouard (France) – 50.01

Ryan Murphy was on fire tonight in the men’s 100 back final. After his electrifying 22.37 lead-off on the USA 200 medley relay to open the session, Murphy split a blistering 23.40 on the opening 50 of his 100 back. He then held on very well, going 25.10 on the second 50 of the race. His 48.50 shattered the championship record of 48.95. Additionally, Murphy is now the #2 performer all-time in the event, behind only WR holder Coleman Stewart.

Lorenzo Mora was great tonight as well, swimming a 49.04 for silver. The swim was a personal best for Mora, establishing a new Italian Record in the event as well.

Isaac Alan Cooper earned another medal for Australia tonight, winning bronze in 49.52.

Pieter Coetze finished just off the medal stand with a 49.60, but broke the African Record he had set yesterday in the semifinals.

WOMEN’S 100M BREASTSTROKE – SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 1:02.36 – Alia Atkinson, JAM/Ruta Meilutyte, LTU  (2014/2013)
• World Junior Record: 1:02.36 – Ruta Meilutyte, LTU (2013)
• Championship Record: 1:02.36 – Alia Atkinson, JAM (2014)
• 2021 Champion: 1:03.47 – Tang Qianting, CHN

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Lilly King (United States) – 1:03.33
2. Ruta Meilutyte (Lithuania) – 1:03.40
3. Reona Aoki (Japan) – 1:04.13
4. Tes Schouten (Netherlands) – 1:04.31
5. Lara van Niekerk (South Africa) – 1:04.36
6. Tang Qianting (China) – 1:04.36
7. Mai Fukasawa (Japan) – 1:04.45
8. Anna Elendt (Germany) – 1:04.46

The Lilly King vs Ruta Meilutyte showdown lived up to the hype. King got the better of Meilutyte tonight, swimming a 1:03.33 to Meilutyte’s 1:03.40. Fortunately, King and Meilutyte were first and second tonight, meaning they’ll be right next to each other again in tomorrow night’s final.

Meilutyte was out fast tonight, splitting 29.45 on the first 50 of the race.

Notably, Italian star breaststroker Benedetta Pilato finished 15th tonight with a 1:05.46. Pilato was solid on the first 50, swimming a 30.18, but just didn’t have it coming home, splitting a 35.28 on the second 50.

MEN’S 100M BREASTSTROKE – SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 55.28 – Ilya Shymanovich, BLR (2021)
• World Junior Record: 56.66 – Simone Cerasuolo, ITA (2021)
• Championship Record: 55.70 – Ilya Shymanovich, BLR (2021)
• 2021 Champion: 55.70 – Ilya Shymanovich, BLR

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Nicolo Martinenghi (Italy) – 56.01
2. Nic Fink (United States) – 56.25
3. Qin Haiyang (China) – 56.38
4. Adam Peaty (Great Britain) – 56.42
5. Simome Cerasuolo (Italy) – 56.71
6. Yuya Hinomoto (Japan) – 56.77
7. Lucas Matzerath (Germany) – 57.04
8. Antoine Viquerat (France) – 57.07

Nicolo Martinenghi and Nic Fink followed up their excellent relay splits from the beginning of the session with great performances here in the semifinals tonight. Martinenghi touched first with a 56.01, while Fink was close behind in 56.25. With his performance tonight, Martinenghi looks like he may make a run at the Championship Record of 55.70 tomorrow.

China’s Qin Haiyang swam a 56.38 for third this morning, finished just off his own Chinese Record of 56.31.

Adam Peaty had a good swim as well, taking fourth in 56.42.

WOMEN’S 50M BUTTERFLY – FINALS

• World Record: 24.38 – Therese Alshammar, SWE (2009)
• World Junior Record: 24.55 – Claire Curzan, USA (2021)
• Championship Record: 24.44 – Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED (2021)
• 2021 Champion: 24.44 – Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Torri Huske (United States) – 24.64 (Tie)
2. GOLD: Maggie MacNeil (Canada) – 24.64 (Tie)
3. BRONZE: Zhang Yufei (China) – 24.71
4. Beryl Gastaldello (France) – 24.85
5. Melanie Henique (France) – 24.92 (Tie)
6. Claire Curzan (United States) – 24.92 (Tie)
7. Maaike de Waard (Netherlands) – 24.98
8. Sara Junevik (Sweden) – 25.18

In a photo-finish in the women’s 50 fly final tonight, Torri Huske and Maggie MacNeil tied for first at 24.64. They finished just ahead of Zhang Yufei, who took third in 24.71, establishing a new Chinese Record in the event.

Beryl Gastaldello was next, swimming a 24.85 to finish just off the podium.

There was another tie, as Melanie Henique and Claire Curzan both finished in 24.92, tying for fifth.

MEN’S 50M BUTTERFLY – FINALS

• World Record: 21.75 – Nicholas Santos, BRA (2018)
• World Junior Record: 22.28 – Ilya Kharun, CAN (2022)
• Championship Record: 21.81 – Nicholas Santos, BRA (2018)
• 2021 Champion: 21.93 – Nicholas Santos, BRA

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Nicholas Santos (Brazil) – 21.78 (Championship Record)
2. SILVER: Noe Ponti (Switzerland) – 21.96
3. BRONZE: Szebasztian Szabo (Hungary) – 21.98
4. Tzen Wei Teong (Singapore) – 22.01
5. Chad le Clos (South Africa) – 22.11
6. Dylan Carter (Trinidad and Tobago) – 22.14
7. Marius Kusch (Germany) – 22.17
8. Daniel Zaitsev (Estonia) – 22.38

Nicholas Santos got it done again! The 42-year-old has once again pushed the limits of what was thought to be possible in this sport, speeding to a new Championship Record of 21.78. Santos held the previous record with the 21.81 he swam to win gold at the 2018 SC World Championships. Notably, when Santos won that gold he 2018, he became the oldest swimmer in history to win a world championships title. Now, four years, later, he has once again extended that record.

This is Santos’ 12th SC World Champs medal of his career and his 16th overall World Champs medal.

Noe Ponti had a great swim for silver, dipping under 22 seconds with a 21.96.

After leading semifinals, Szebasztian Szabo was once again under 22 seconds, but ended up third this time, still winning a medal.

Tzen Wei Teong took fourth in 22.01, seeting a new Asian Record.

WOMEN’S 4X200M FREESTYLE RELAY – FINALS

• World Record: 7:32.85 – Netherlands (2014)
• World Junior Record: 7:43.73 – Benchmark
• Championship Record: 7:32.85 – Netherlands (2014)
• 2021 Champion: 7:32.96 – Canada

RESULTS:

1. GOLD: Australia – 7:30.87 (World Record)
2. SILVER: Canada – 7:34.47
3. BRONZE: United States – 7:34.70
4. Netherlands – 7:40.54
5. Japan – 7:44.87
6. China – 7:48.73
7. Brazil – 7:48.83
8. New Zealand – 7:50.76

Australia closed out the session with another women’s relay World Record. They once again shattered the mark, with Madi Wilson (1:53.13), Mollie O’Callaghan (1:52.83), Leah Neale (1:52.67), and Lani Pallister (1:52.24) teaming up for a 7:30.87. They blew away the previous World Record of 7:32.85, which also stood as the Championship Record in the event.

Canada’s Rebecca Smith had a huge swim on the lead-off of their relay, clocking a 1:52.15. That swim actually marks a new Canadian Record for Smith. Canada also benefitted greatly from a 1:52.73 anchor by Taylor Ruck.

Amercian Erin Gemmell had a big split as well, clocking a 1:52.23 on the third leg, which was the fastest split in the field.