2024 World Championships: Day 4 Prelims Live Recap

2024 WORLD AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

• February 11th – February 18th
• Doha, Qatar
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• Day 1 Prelims Recap | Day 1 Finals Recap
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Day Four Prelims Start Lists

Day Four Prelims Relay Article

It’s day four of the World Championships and we are nearly halfway through the meet. Today’s preliminary session will feature just five events: the women’s 50 back, men’s 100 free, men’s 200 IM, women’s 200 fly, and the mixed 4×100 medley relay.

The first event on the docket, the women’s 50 backstroke, will be a quick one. The top entry into the event is Great Britain’s Lauren Cox, who claimed the bronze medal at the Fukuoka World Championships in July. She holds a best time of 27.20 in the event, just 0.01 outside Kathleen Dawson‘s British record from 2021. Dawson will also feature in the field, but hasn’t approached her best times in the backstroke events since before the Tokyo Olympics.

American Claire Curzan is also slated to compete after scoring gold in yesterday’s 100 back. Curzan rarely competes in this 50m distance, as she seems to prioritize the 100 and 200 in the long course pool. Nonetheless, given she took her 100 out in 28.25 yesterday, it seems she has the capability to dip well into the 27-second realm. Her best time in the event is from 2022, and it rests at 28.09.

Australia’s Iona Anderson is another name to keep an eye on. Perhaps her best event, she recently posted a time of 27.52 in the event at the Western Australia State Champs in December. A few months prior to that swim, she secured gold at the World Junior Championships. European record holder Kira Toussaint will also feature in the field, and her best time of 27.10 is faster than anyone in the field. She has not neared that mark since 2021, but that time could very well earn her Doha gold if she can match it.

The men’s 100 freestyle will be highlighted by the newly minted world record holder, Pan Zhanle of China. He opened China’s gold medal winning 4×100 freestyle relay on day one in 46.80, taking down David Popovici’s 46.86 mark from 2022. Alessandro Miressi of Italy and 2023 200 free World Champion Matthew Richards of Team GB will also feature, and so will Hungary’s Nandor Nemeth. Nemeth opened Hungary’s 5th place 4×100 free relay on day one with a time of 47.89, so he seems to be in form to challenge for the podium. China’s Wang Haoyu is another name to keep a watchful eye on. Wang missed the semifinals in Fukuoka, but has split sub-47 on a relay before.

The men’s 200 IM should be a fun battle here in Doha, with the top entrant being Duncan Scott of Great Britain. The 2022 silver medalist, Carson Foster, will be in the hunt for gold if he can approach his 1:55.71 best time. Foster’s Team USA and Texas teammate Shaine Casas will also swim the event, after placing 4th last year in Fukuoka. Of note, Scott grabbed silver in Fukuoka and Foster placed 5th. Casas owns a best time of 1:55.24, which is faster than both Scott (1:55.28) and Foster.

The women’s 200 fly is missing the entire podium from Fukuoka, but 4th place finisher Lana Pudar enters as the top seed here. Her entry time is 2:06.26, and the only other swimmer with a sub-2:07 on the entry lists is Team GB’s Laura Stephens (2:06.62).

WOMEN’S 50 BACKSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: Kaylee McKeown, Australia – 26.86 (2023)
• World Junior Record: Minna Atherton, Australia – 27.49 (2016)
• Championship Record: Zhao Ling, China – 27.06 (2009)
• 2023 World Champion: Kaylee McKeown, Australia – 27.08

Top 16 Qualifiers:

1. Ingrid Wilm (CAN) – 27.81
2. Lauren Cox (GBR) – 27.89
3. Claire Curzan (USA) – 27.99
4. Iona Anderson (AUS) – 28.02
5. Theodora Drakou (GRE) – 28.09
6. Adela Piskorska (POL) – 28.16
7. Stephanie Au (HKG) – 28.27
8. Costanza Cocconcelli (ITA) – 28.28
9. Kira Toussaint (NED) – 28.33
10. Emma Harvery (BER) – 28.34
11. Jaclyn Barclay (AUS) – 28.36
12. Tayla Jonker (RSA) – 28.37
13. Louise Hansson (SWE) – 28.38
14. Maaike De Waard (NED) – 28.39
15. Paulina Peda (POL) – 28.42
16. Kathleen Dawson (GBR) – 28.46

The first of the circle seeded heats saw Poland’s Adela Piskorska win in 28.16. She entered the meet with a time of 27.81, but will safely advance to the semifinals with her swim this morning. Kira Toussaint of the Netherlands (28.33) and Australian Jaclyn Barclay (28.36) placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

The bronze medalist from yesterday’s 100 back, Ingrid Wilm of Canada, won the penultimate heat in a swift 27.84. The 100 back silver medalist (Australian Iona Anderson) grabbed 2nd in the heat with a time of 28.02, while Stephanie Au of Hong Kong touched in 28.27 for 3rd.

The final heat was won by Lauren Cox of Team GB, touching in 27.89. Claire Curzan of the United States grabbed 2nd from lane two, touching in 27.99 for a new personal best time. Curzan won the 100 back last night and took her race out in 28.25 there, so it looks like she has more in the tank for the next rounds.

The 100 fly bronze medalist from night two, Louise Hansson, placed 13th this morning in 28.38. Maaike De Waard will join teammate Toussaint in tonight’s semifinals, as she hit the wall in 28.39 for the 14th qualification spot.

It took a time of 28.46 to earn a second swim in this event, with Kathleen Dawson of Great Britain being the final qualifier in 16th. It took a time of 28.24 to make the semifinals in Fukuoka.

MEN’S 100 FREESTYLE – HEATS

• World Record: Pan Zhanle, China – 46.80 (2024)
• World Junior Record: David Popovici, Romania – 46.86 (2022)
• Championship Record: Pan Zhanle, China – 46.80 (2024)
• 2023 World Champion: Kyle Chalmers, Australia – 47.15
• Olympic ‘A’ Qualifying Time: 48.34, Olympic ‘B’ Qualifying Time: 48.58

Top 16 Qualifiers:

1. Pan Zhanle (CHN) – 47.82
2. Alessandro Miressi (ITA) – 47.94
3. Nandor Nemeth (HUN) – 48.03
4. Matthew Richards (GBR) – 48.05
5. Matt King (USA) – 48.11
6. Hwang Sunwoo (KOR) – 48.15
7. Andrej Barna (SRB) – 48.31
8. Mikel Schreuders (ARU) – 48.59
9. Wang Haoyu (CHN) – 48.61
10. Manuel Frigo (ITA) – 48.65
11. Sergio De Celis Montalban (ESP) – 48.68
12. Diogo Ribeiro Matos (POR) – 48.72
13. Cameron Gray (NZL) – 48.81
14. Bjorn Seeliger (SWE) – 48.84
15. Kai Taylor (AUS) – 48.88
16. Kamil Sieradzki (POL) – 48.93

American Matt King flipped in 22.99 at the 50m mark of heat ten, but world record holder Pan Zhanle made his presence known over the final 35 meters. Pan touched in 47.82 to secure the heat win, with King (48.11) touching 2nd and Andrej Barna (48.31) 3rd. Pan’s final 50 split of 24.61 was the fastest of the morning, and his overall time held up for the top seed too.

Heat 11 saw yesterday’s 200 free champion, Hwang Sunwoo, rip through the first 50 in 22.88. Italy’s Alessandro Miressi closed quickly over the final 20 meters though, clipping him at the finish in 47.94. Hwang finished in 48.15 and Mikel Schreuders of Aruba claimed 3rd in the heat.

Matt Richards clocked 23.02 over the opening 50 meters in the final heat, but Nandor Nemeth of Hungary swam over the top of him in the final few meters. Nemeth touched in 48.03, backing up his 47.89 relay lead-off from day one of the meet. Nemeth closed in 24.83 compared to Richard’s 25.03 final 50 split. The 50 fly gold medalist from night two, Diogo Ribeiro, finished 3rd in the heat with a respectable 48.72.

Australian Kai Taylor (48.88) of Australia snuck into the semifinals in 15th place, while his St. Peters Western training partner Jack Cartwright (49.01) missed out in 17th.

The 2012 Olympic Champion in the 200 fly, South Africa’s Chad Le Clos, finished 18th in 49.04. He scratched the heats of the 200 fly yesterday.

Of note, everyone who broke the 49-second barrier this morning advanced to the semifinals. 48.93 was 16th, and that was Kamil Sieradzki of Poland.

MEN’S 200 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY – HEATS

• World Record: Ryan Lochte, United States – 1:54.00 (2011)
• World Junior Record: Hubert Kos, Hungary – 1:56.99 (2021)
• Championship Record: Ryan Lochte, United States – 1:54.00 (2011)
• 2023 World Champion: Leon Marchand, France – 1:54.82
• Olympic ‘A’ Qualifying Time: 1:57.94, Olympic ‘B’ Qualifying Time: 1:58.53

Top 16 Qualifiers:

1. Jeremy Desplanches (SUI) – 1:58.17
2. Daiya Seto (JPN) – 1:58.26
3. Carson Foster (USA) – 1:58.71
4. Riki Abe (JPN) – 1:59.48 & Finlay Knox (CAN) – 1:59.48
5. –
6. Gabriel Lopes (POR) – 1:59.80
7. Zhang Zhanshou (CHN) – 1:59.87
8. Duncan Scott (GBR) – 1:59.91
9. Alberto Razzetti (ITA) – 2:00.14
10. Matthew Sates (RSA) – 2:00.28
11. Lewis Clareburt (NZL) – 2:00.37
12. Balazs Hollo (HUN) – 2:00.40
13. Shaine Casas (USA) – 2:00.46
14. Lorne Wigginton (CAN) – 2:00.63
15. Jaouad Syoud (ALG) – 2:01.13
16. Kim Minsuk (KOR) – 2:01.52

American Carson Foster showcased opening speed in the first circle seeded heat, leading through the first 50 of fly (25.05) and through the 100 (54.71). Tokyo bronze medalist Jeremy Desplanches of Switzerland put some pressure on him during the breaststroke leg, taking the lead by 0.30 going into the freestyle leg. Desplanches touched in 1:58.17 for the heat win while Daiya Seto (1:58.26) of Japan stopped the clock in for 2nd. Foster finished in 1:58.71, clearing shutting it down on the free leg.

Portugal’s Gabriel Lopes led from the start in the penultimate heat, winning in 1:59.80. He was the only swimmer under 2-minutes in this heat, as Matthew Sates (2:00.28), Balazs Hollo (2:00.40), Shaine Casas (2:00.46) placing 2nd through 4th. Hugo Gonzalez, who snagged silver in the 100 back yesterday, placed 5th in the heat (20th overall) and failed to advance. He is scheduled to contest the 200 back tomorrow morning.

The last of the heats was highlighted by Finlay Knox (CAN) and Duncan Scott (GBR). After breaking the Canadian record in the 50 fly earlier in the meet, Knox sprinted through the first 50 in 24.82. He didn’t relinquish his lead for the rest of the race, winning in 1:59.48.

2:01.52 was the cut-off to make tonight’s semifinals, with 1:59.91 currently sitting 8th after prelims.

WOMEN’S 200 BUTTERFLY – HEATS

• World Record: Liu Zige, China – 2:01.81 (2009)
• World Junior Record: Summer McIntosh, Canada – 2:04.06 (2023)
• Championship Record: Jess Schipper, Australia – 2:03.41 (2009)
• 2023 World Champion: Summer McIntosh, Canada – 2:04.06
• Olympic ‘A’ Qualifying Time: 2:08.43, Olympic ‘B’ Qualifying Time: 2:09.07

Top 16 Qualifiers:

1. Helena Rosendahl Bach (DEN) – 2:09.21
2. Laura Stephens (GBR) – 2:09.31
3. Ma Yonghui (CHN) – 2:09.50
4. Rachel Klinker (USA) – 2:09.85
5. Boglarka Kapas (HUN) – 2:09.99
6. Park Sujin (KOR) – 2:10.28
7. Dalma Sebestyen (HUN) – 2:10.34
8. Lana Pudar (BIH) – 2:11.05
9. Maria Jose Mata Cocco (MEX) – 2:11.08
10. Anja Crevar (SRB) – 2:11.63
11. Amina Kajtaz (CRO) – 2:11.78
12. Jing Wen Quah (SGP) – 2:11.86
13. Kamonchanok Kwanmuang (THA) – 2:11.97
14. Laura Lahtinen (FIN) – 2:12.06
15. Georgia Damasioti (GRE) – 2:12.09
16. Mariana Pacheco Cunha (POR) – 2:12.59

Helena Bach of Denmark clocked the fastest 200 fly time of the morning, finishing in 2:09.21 en route to victory in heat one. Ma Yonghui of China finished closely behind her in that heat, touching in 2:09.50 for the 3rd fastest time of the morning.

The second heat was won by Laura Stephens of Team GB. She finished in 2:09.31, just 0.10 off the marker produced by Bach a few minutes earlier. Park Sujin of Korea and Dalma Sebestyen of Hungary were 2nd and 3rd in the heat, advancing in 6th and 7th.

The final heat featured American Rachel Klinker, and she opened in a swift 1:01.91 through the first 100. She would hold on to win the heat, touching in 2:09.85. She won by just 0.14, as 2019 World Champion Boglarka Kapas split 33.50 on the final 50 to significantly narrow the gap. Of note, Klinker closed in 34.43.

The top seeded entrant in the event, Lana Pudar, posted a time of 2:11.05 to place 3rd in the final heat. She will advance to tonight’s semifinals ranked 8th, and is one to keep an eye on as she placed 4th in Fukuoka.

MIXED 4×100 MEDLEY RELAY – HEATS

• World Record: Great Britain – 3:37.58 (2021)
• Championship Record: United States – 3:38.56 (2017)
• 2023 World Champion: China – 3:38.57

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Great Britain – 3:45.50
2. Australia – 3:45.54
3. United States – 3:45.93
4. Greece – 3:46.54
5. Poland – 3:46.57
6. Japan – 3:46.92
7. Sweden – 3:47.50
8. Italy – 3:47.65

Lithuania claimed victory in heat two, touching in 3:51.99. Ruta Meilutyte split 1:07.39 on the breaststroke leg, after missing the semifinals of the individual event with a 17th place finish (1:07.79).

Heat three of four was a close battle between Australia and the Netherlands at the finish. Bradley Woodward led off the Aussies with a 53.89 on the backstroke leg before Sam Williamson clocked 59.49 on breast, Alexandria Perkins excelled with a 57.47 fly split, and Abbey Harkin anchored in 54.69. Australia got the win in 3:45.54, while the Netherlands was issued a disqualification.

Dutch anchor Kira Toussaint kicked on her back off the freestyle turn, which is not permitted in IM and medley relay races (because it constitutes as swimming the race more than 1/4 of a stroke). It is important to note that this action is legal in all freestyle races, freestyle relays included.

The final heat was won by Team GB in 3:45.50, just 0.04 quicker than the Aussies from the previous heat. Medi Harris (1:00.62), James Wilby (1:00.00), Duncan Scott (52.15), and Anna Hopkin (52.73) comprised their winning foursome. Hopkin’s freestyle split was the fastest of the field by a large margin, as she was the only one to crack the 53-second realm with her 52.73.

Team USA posted the 3rd fastest time of the morning (3:45.93), with Rachel Klinker splitting an impressive 58.18 on the fly leg just minutes after the 200 fly.

Italy snuck into the final in 8th, while defending champions China missed the final in 11th. China is missing their entire relay from Fukuoka, and they already earned automatic Olympic qualification from that performance.