2022 World Championships: Day 1 Prelims Live Recap

2022 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

• June 18-25, 2022 (pool swimming)
• Budapest, Hungary
• Duna Arena
• LCM (50-meter format)
• Full Aquatics Schedule
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The wait is finally over – the 2022 World Championships are here. The action kicks off this morning with prelims of 9 events, making day 1 one of the busier days of the meet. One of the most anticipated races of the day is the women’s 400 free, where we’ll all be looking tonight to see if American Katie Ledecky is able to challenge the recently established World Record by Australian Ariarne Titmus. That race will also feature 15-year-old phenom Summer McIntosh (Canada), who could be the next woman to go under 4:00 in the event.

We’ll also get our first relays of the meet, with heats of the men’s and women’s 4×100 free relays taking place at the end of this morning’s session.

Women’s 200 IM – Prelims

• World Record: 2:06.12, Katinka Hosszu (HUN) – 2015 World Championships
• Championship Record: 2:06.12, Katinka Hosszu (HUN) – 2015 World Championships
• 2021 Olympic Champion: Yui Ohashi (JPN), 2:08.52
• 2019 World Champion: Katinka Hosszu (HUN), 2:07.53

Top 16 Qualifiers

1. Alex Walsh (USA) – 2:09.41
2. Leah Hayes (USA) – 2:09.81
3. Anastasia Gorbenko (ISR) – 2:10.23
4. Mary-Sophie Harvey (CAN) – 2:10.38
5. Marrit Steenbergen (NED) – 2:10.60
6. Abbie Wood (GBR) – 2:10.89
7. Kaylee McKeown (AUS) – 2:11.17
8. Rika Omoto (JPN) – 2:11.28
9. Kim Seoyeong (KOR) – 2:11.29
10. Sydney Pickrem (CAN) – 2:11.60
11. Katinka Hosszu (HUN) – 2:11.77
12. Yui Ohashi (JPN) – 2:12.22
13. Maria Ugolkova (SUI) – 2:12.27
14. Chutong Ge (CHN) – 2:12.98
15. Dalma Sebestyen (HUN) – 2:13.13
16. Ella Ramsay (AUS) – 2:13.20

The Americans couldn’t have asked for a better start to these World Championships, as Alex Walsh and Leah Hayes went 1-2 this morning, posting the only sub-2:10s in the field. For Hayes, who was making her World Championships debut, the swim marks a new personal best, slightly bettering the 2:09.99 she swam at the U.S. International Team Trials.

Walsh was excellent on the front half of the race, splitting 27.81 on fly and 32.75 on back for a 1:00.56 on the first 100, by far the fastest first 100 split in the field. Hayes was stronger on the back half of her race, splitting 37.44 on breaststroke and 30.98 on freestyle, marking a very speedy 1:08.42 on the final 100.

Hosts Hungary had a great showing as well, getting both their swimmers back for semifinals tonight. Leading the way for Hungary is Katinka Hoszzu, the World Record holder in the event. The Iron Lady was 11th this morning, swimming a 2:11.77. A fierce competitor in the IMs, Hosszu will need to be watched tonight.

Olympic Champion Yui Ohashi had a so-so swim this morning, taking 12th in 2:12.22. Ohashi’s swim tonight will be more of an indication of what sort of time she’s capable of at these Championships. She won Olympic Gold in 2:08.52 last summer, nearly 4 seconds faster than she was this morning.

Men’s 400 Free – Prelims

• World Record: 3:40.07, Paul Biedermann (GER) – 2009 World Championships
• Championship Record: 3:40.07, Paul Biedermann (GER) – 2009 World Championships
• 2021 Olympic Champion: Ahmed Hafnaoui (TUN), 3:43.36
• 2019 World Champion: Sun Yang (CHN), 3:42.44

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. Felix Auboeck (AUT) – 3:43.83
2. Elijah Winnington (AUS) – 3:44.42
3. Guilherme Costa (BRA) – 3:44.52
4. Lukas Martens (GER) – 3:45.04
5. Kieran Smith (USA) – 3:45.70
6. Woomin Kim (KOR) – 3:45.87
7. Trey Freeman (USA) – 3:46.12
8. Marco de Tullio (ITA) – 3:46.47

Heat 4 was an incredible race, as half of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic final was competing. Australia’s Elijah Winnington wasted no time, taking the race out under World Record pace for the first 200 meters. American Kieran Smith went with him, sitting just off Winnington’s shoulders. Felix Auboeck was well off Winnington at the 200 mark, but put together a strong 3rd 100 to get right back into the race. Auboeck would take over on the final 50 of the race, posting a 3:43.83 to take 1st. It was a scorching prelims swim from Auboeck, a time which would have been fast enough to medal in Tokyo last summer.

Brazil’s Guilherme Costa would burst through at the finish for 3rd in heat 4, swimming a 3:44.52, which stands as a new South American Record.

Germany’s Lukas Martens would grab heat 5 in 3:45.04, coming in as one of two swimmers from the heat to advance. Italy’s Marco de Tullio would edge out Australia’s Mack Horton for 2nd, swimming a 3:46.47. Horton swam a 3:46.57, ending up 9th, just outside the final.

South Korea’s Woomin Kim had a massive swim in heat 3 to qualify for the final, taking 3 seconds off his entry time. Kim was on it from the start in heat 3, and consistently pulled away from the field as the race progressed.

Women’s 100 Fly – Prelims

• World Record: 55.48, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) – 2016 Olympic Games
• Championship Record: 55.53, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) – 2017 World Championships
• 2021 Olympic Champion: Maggie MacNeil (CAN), 55.59
• 2019 World Champion: Maggie MacNeil (CAN), 55.83

Top 16 Qualifiers

1. Torri Huske (USA) – 56.82
2. Marie Wattel (FRA) – 57.21
3. Zhang Yufei (CHN) – 57.37
4. Claire Curzan (USA) – 57.48
5. Louise Hansson (SWE) – 57.53
6. Farida Osman (EGY) – 57.76
7. Brianna Throssell (AUS) – 57.85
8. Giovanna Diamante (BRA) – 57.87
9. Elena di Liddo (ITA) – 57.97
10. Katerine Savard (CAN) – 58.22
11. Angelina Kohler (GER) – 58.44
12. Rebecca Smith (CAN) – 58.65
13. Lana Pudar (BIH) – 58.90
14. Anna Ntountounaki (GRE) – 59.13
15. Jing Wen Quah (SGP) – 59.29
16. Laura Stephens (GBR) – 59.46

France’s Marie Wattel took heat 2 after leading wire-to-wire. The sprint star clocked a 57.21 to handily win the heat. Australia’s Brianna Throssell looked out of it with 25 meters to go in the race, but closed fast, and ended up getting her hands on the wall second.

In heat 3, American Torri Huske took the race out like a bullet, splitting under World Record pace on the first 50. She would maintain her lead through the back half of the race, with fellow American Claire Curzan finishing 2nd. Huske posted a very speedy 56.82 in the heats, with Curzan clocked a 57.48.

In a tight race in the 4th and final heat, China’s Zhang Yufei would clock a 57.37 to get her hands on the wall just ahead of Sweden’s Louise Hansson. Yufei took Silver in the 100 fly in Tokyo last summer, and won Gold in the 200 fly.

Men’s 50 fly – Prelims

• World Record: 22.27, Andriy Govorov (UKR) – 2018 Sette Colli Trophy
• Championship Record: 22.35, Caeleb Dressel (USA) – 2019 World Championships
• 2019 World Champion: Caeleb Dressel (USA), 22.35

Top 16 Qualifiers

1. Dylan Carter (TTO) – 22.87
2. Caeleb Dressel (USA) – 22.88
3. Thomas Ceccon (ITA) – 22.88
4. Michael Andrew (USA) – 22.89
5. Noe Ponti (SUI) – 23.04
6. Maxime Grousset (FRA) – 23.07
7. Ben Proud (GBR) – 23.08
8. Szebasztian Szabo (HUN) – 23.11
9. Nyls Korstanje (NED) – 23.27
10. Florent Manaudou (FRA) – 23.31
11. Andrii Govorov (UKR) – 23.34
12. Daniel Zaitsev (EST) – 23.38
13. Nicholas Santos (BRA) – 23.46
14. Simon Bucher (AUT)/Tzen Wei Teong (SGP) – 23.51
15. –
16. Konrad Czerniak (POL)/Piero Codia (ITA) – 23.53

Dylan Carter picked the right time to have a great swim, getting under 23 seconds for the first time in his career to establish the top time of the morning.  In the final two heats, Caeleb Dressel and Thomas Ceccon would each win their respective heat with a 22.88. Michael Andrew was right behind, finishing in 22.89.

42-year-old Nicholas Santos advanced, finishing 13th with a 23.46.

There will have to be a swim-off, as there was a tie for 16th this morning between Konrad Czerniak and Piero Codia, both of whom swam 23.53.

Women’s 400 free – Prelims

• World Record: 3:56.40, Ariarne Titmus (AUS) – 2022 Australian Championships
• Championship Record: 3:58.34, Katie Ledecky (USA) – 2017 World Championships
• 2021 Olympic Champion: Ariarne Titmus (AUS), 3:56.69
• 2019 World Champion: Ariarne Titmus (AUS), 3:58.76

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. Katie Ledecky (USA) – 3:59.79
2. Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 4:03.19
3. Lani Pallister (AUS) – 4:03.71
4. Kiah Melverton (AUS) – 4:03.74
5. Leah Smith (USA) – 4:04.43
6. Erika Fairweather (NZL) – 4:06.00
7. Muhan Tang (CHN) – 4:06.29
8. Isabel Gose (GER) – 4:06.44

Katie Ledecky looked smooth and in control as she clocked a sub-4:00 this morning, leaving no doubt she would win the final heat from the first 50. Ledecky has a chance tonight to reclaim the World Record in the event, which Australia’s Ariarne Titmus cracked at the Australian Trials last month. There was a noticeable difference between this morning’s swim and the Katie Ledecky we were seeing last summer in Tokyo, much of which can surely be attributed to her move to Florida to train under Anthony Nesty.

A thrilling race for second has developed behind Ledecky, led by Canadian 15-year-old Summer McIntosh, who swam a 4:03.19 this morning. The Australian duo of Kiah Melverton and Lani Pallister were also 4:03 this morning, and American veteran Leah Smith was 4:04.43. All 4 of those women are capable of approaching the 4:00 mark, and it’s possible we may see someone other than Ledecky under the barrier tonight.

Men’s 100 breast – Prelims

• World Record: 56.88, Adam Peaty (GBR), 2019 World Championships
• Championship Record: 56.88, Adam Peaty (GBR), 2019 World Championships
• 2021 Olympic Champion: Adam Peaty (GBR), 57.37
• 2019 World Champion: Adam Peaty (GBR), 57.14

Top 16 Qualifiers

1. Arno Kamminga (NED) – 58.69
2. Nic Fink (USA) – 58.81
3. Michael Andrew (USA) – 58.96
4. Nicolo Martinenghi (ITA) – 59.06
5. Yan Zibei (CHN) – 59.83
6. Caspar Corbeau (NED) – 59.89
7. Ryuya Mura (JPN)/Andrius Sidlauskas (LTU) – 59.90
8. –
9. Lucas Matzerath (GER) – 59.94
10. Zac Stubblety-Cook (AUS) – 1:00.12
11. James Wilby (GBR) – 1:00.14
12. Erik Persson (SWE) – 1:00.34
13. Matti Mattsson (FIN)/Sung Jae Cho (KOR) – 1:00.37
14. –
15. Bernhard Reitshammer (AUT) – 1:00.66
16. Kristian Pitshugin (ISR) – 1:00.70

Netherlands’ Arno Kamminga posted the top time of the morning with a 58.69. Kamminga was swimming in heat 7, where he was locked in a tight battle with American Nic Fink. Fink would touch in 58.81, marking the 2nd fastest time of the morning.

Swimming in his 2nd race of this prelims session, American Michael Andrew swam a 58.96 to win heat 6. It was a well swum race by Andrew, who went out in 27.50 and came home in 31.46.

Nicol0 Martinenghi handled heat 5 in 59.06, leading a relatively relaxed heat. 200 World Record holder Zac Stubblety-Cook out of Australia was in the heat as well, finishing 4th in 1:00.06.

Men’s 400 IM – Prelims

• World Record: 4:03.84, Michael Phelps (USA) – 2008 Olympic Games
• Championship Record: 4:05.90, Chase Kalisz (USA) – 2017 World Championships
• 2021 Olympic Champion: Chase Kalisz (USA), 4:09.42
• 2019 World Champion: Daiya Seto (JPN), 4:08.95

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. Leon Marchand (FRA) – 4:09.09
2. Carson Foster (USA) – 4:09.60
3. Chase Kalisz (USA) – 4:10.32
4. Daiya Seto (JPN) – 4:10.51
5. Balazs Hollo (HUN) – 4:10.87
6. Tomoru Honda (JPN) – 4:12.24
7. Lewis Clareburt (NZL) – 4:12.39
8. Brendon Smith (AUS) – 4:12.50

20-year-old Frenchman Leon Marchand put together a phenomenal race to post the top time of the morning, establishing a new French Record of 4:09.09. Racing with the U.S.’s Carson Foster, Marchand took over the lead on backstroke, and never looked back. A faster swim may be in store for tonight, as Marchand appeared to put it into cruise control on freestyle.

Daiya Seto dominated the final heat of the morning, posting the #4 time of the morning.

South Africa’s Matt Sates dominated the 2nd heat, swimming a 4:14.81. The swim marked the youngster’s first World Championships race of his career.

Women’s 4×100 free relay – Prelims

• World Record: 3:29.69, Australia – 2021 Olympic Games
• Championship Record: 3:30.21, Australia – 2019 World Championships
• 2021 Olympic Champion: Australia, 3:29.69
• 2019 World Champion: Australia, 3:30.21

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. Australia – 3:33.74
2. USA – 3:35.23
3. Canada – 3:35.34
4. Great Britain – 3:36.24
5. China – 3:36.66
6. Netherlands – 3:37.56
7. Brazil – 3:38.04
8. Hungary – 3:39.04

Canada won the first heat, swimming a 3;35.34. Penny Oleksiak is waiting in the wings to join the relay tonight, which should further strengthen it.

Australia took heat 2 out under World Record pace through the first two legs, a scary proposition as the Aussies have Mollie O’Callaghan and Shayna Jack ready to join the relay tonight.

Men’s 4×100 free relay – Prelims

• World Record: 3:08.24, United States – 2008 Olympic Games
• Championship Record: 3:09.06, United States – 2019 World Championships
• 2021 Olympic Champion: United States, 3:08.97
• 2019 World Champion: United States, 3:09.06

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. USA – 3:10.80
2. Australia – 3:11.97
3. Hungary – 3:12.38
4. Great Britain – 3:12.55
5. Canada – 3:13.08
6. Italy – 3:13.13
7. Brazil – 3:13.76
8. Serbia – 3:14.26

The United States handled prelims of the men’s 4×100 free this morning, putting together a formidable 3:10.80 Hunter Armstrong led the team off in 48.34, then Ryan Held blew the doors open with a 47.13 split on the 2nd leg. Things were only looking up from there, as Justin Ress split 47.57 and Brooks Curry 47.76.

Australia’s Kyle Chalmers provided a critical anchor leg for the Aussie team, splitting a field-leading 47.11, which got them over the hump in terms of finishing ahead of Hungary. Speaking of Hungary, they put together an awesome prelims performance, fueled in part by a 47.36 split by Kristof Milak on the 2nd leg.

Hwang Sunwoo of South Korea posted the fastest lead-off leg in th field this morning, coming in at 48.07. South Korea would end up finishing 12th.

Great Britain came in 4th this morning, swimming a 3:12.55. GBR is facing an uphill battle in this relay with the absence of Duncan Scott, although things still went fairly well this morning. Matthew Richards and youngster Jacob Whittle were still under 48 seconds, splitting 47.99 and 47.58 respectively on the final two legs.