On the third day of Russian Nationals, Vlad Morozov took over, winning two events including the 100 free, where he became the first man in the world to crack 48 this season.
Morozov went 47.98 to win the national title by four tenths. He leapfrogs Australia’s Cameron McEvoy for the world lead.
2014-2015 LCM Men 100 Free
NING
47.84
| 2 | Cameron McEVOY | AUS | 47.94 | 08/05 |
| 3 | Vladimir MOROZOV | RUS | 47.98 | 04/19 |
| 3 | Santo CONDORELLI | CAN | 47.98 | 07/14 |
| 5 | Federico GRABICH | ARG | 48.11 | 07/14 |
According to the Russian Federation’s website, the Worlds Team is being selected based on the 12th-fastest time from the last World Championships in each Olympic-distance event, and the 10th-fastest time in each non-Olympic distance race.
Based on that standard, three others made the Worlds team in the 100 free: Alexander Sukhorukov (48.33), Daniel Izotov (48.41) and Andriy Grechin (48.64).
Morozov also won the 50 breaststroke, going 27.37 and also making the Worlds cut.
The Russian Federation site does note that time standards might be softer for some younger athletes on the cusp of qualifying, so we don’t officially know who is on and off the team. But with that caveat in mind, here are the rest of the other likely Worlds qualifiers from day 3:
Alexander Kudashev won the 200 fly in 1:56.30, making the cut for Worlds.
On the women’s side, three Russians got under the 12th place time in the 200 breast, and one Turkish athlete also crossed the barrier. Yuliya Efimova leads at 2:22.12, the 5th-best time in the world this season:
2014-2015 LCM Women 200 Breast
ZEYNEP
2.19.64*WJR
| 2 | Kanako WATANABE | JPN | 2.20.90 | 04/12 |
| 3 | Rikke MOLLER PEDERSEN | DEN | 2.21.58 | 06/10 |
| 4 | Rie KANETOU | JPN | 2.21.90 | 04/12 |
| 5 | Micah LAWRENCE | USA | 2.22.04 | 08/06 |
Vitalina Simonova (2:23.56) and Andreeva Sofia (2:25.14) also got under the mark, placing 2nd and 4th. In between was Turkey’s Viktoria Gunes Zeynep (2:24.48).
Anastasia Fesikova won the 50 back, making the Worlds cut time with a 28.18.
Other winners were Ivan Trofimov in the men’s 200 IM (2:00.08) and Elizabeth Gorshkova in the women’s 1500 free (16:39.98).
Semifinal winners on day 3:
- Veronika Popova won the semis of the women’s 200 free, going 1:58.05. Viktoria Andreeva sits second at 1:58.25.
- Grigory Tarasevich leads the men’s 200 back with a 1:58.53, but 100 back champ Evgeny Rylov is behind him in 2:00.41.
- Natalia Lovtsova is the top qualifier out of the women’s 100 fly with a 58.26, with Anna Polyakova and Svetlana Chimrova tied for second at 58.92.
I’ve found a better video of the race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8OXXBUCyI8
It kind of looks like he’s lifting his head and chest up and forward, and then turning slightly to the side to breath.
A-la Janet Evans
I don’t know much about Morozov but has he always been that big? looking like Manaudou with the muscles and straight arm windmilling!
JM90, you are under a false impression. Manaudou is 2 meters tall and weighs around 100 kgs. Morozov is 1.80 and weighs now, I guess, between 75 and 80 kgs.
For resume about freestyle events this summer : for the 400 free relay , 3 countries will surely battle for medals as we have seen the times allready : Russia , France & Australia ; Usa will have to try to sneak within these 3 countries . Brazil is stilll a mystery to me because they didn’t shine yet with a solid quartet ( at Pan Pacs 2014 , they seemes to get it nearly very well done ) . So , it will be a tight battle between those 5 countries .
At Pan Pacs brazil did not have Cielo and Santana.
I would also add Italy to the mix..
Before major meets he usually comes to Volgograd, Russia, where his coach is V.Avdienko.
Where does Vlad train these days, Russia or the U.S.?
I suppose he is tapered at the moment, he will not swim much faster at WC (only first 50 m)
I’d love to see some of Salo’s workouts for Morozov. I can’t imagine he’s doing a bunch of distance with that stroke.
It looks like he’s really worked on that straight arm technique. It looks tremendously powerful.
I’ve messed around with that stroke and I think it is faster. It’s energy intensive, though. He – Morozov – must be very, very fit.
No one under salo does a “bunch of distance”.
Good to see Vlad finally back under 48. It’s still a ways from his 47.6, but a good sign nonetheless.
I’m just glad someone is. I am floored that we got through both the Australian and French Nationals without seeing a 47.
It seemed like his recovery was a lot more straight armed than previous races I have seen him do. Is this new or am I just seeing things?
Looked more straight to me too. The video quality wasn’t great so it’s hard to be sure