Katinka Hosszu has made her intentions clear in the 100m Backstroke heats kicking off with a stunning 58.78, moving through to the Semi-Finals in poll position. Hosszu is set to challenge a strong field which features some big names including Emily Seebohm (Australia) and Missy Franklin (USA) and the veteran Kristy Conventry (Zimbabwe). Katinka’s rating throughout the race was impressive, showing off her superb fitness and strength. The Hungarian split sub-30 for both the 1st and 2nd 50m, a feat none of the other girls in the field could manage.
The Hungarian super-star has improved upon her previous personal best of 59.47 and in doing so set a new National Record.
The World and Championship record that the field will all be chasing in the Semi-Finals and Finals is 58.12 , currently held by Gemma Spofforth of Great Britain. This record was set in Rome in 2009.
While world records and gold medals are the ultimate target for Hosszu, a big drop here give her eyes at a historic national mark later in the meet: taking down the 1991 vintage 200 backstroke Hungarian Record of 2:06.62 held by Krisztina Egerszegi – one of the greats to ever swim this event. Hosszu has been 2:06.81 in that event, and with major lifetime bests so far in both events that she’s swum (the 200 IM and the 100 back), it seems nearly a given that Hosszu will get there, if she can hold on to her momentum to the meet’s 6th day across a grueling schedule.
Her race
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv8elkyTJRw
By the way I don’t understand why Hosszu swam the prelims if she scratches.
Even with a 100 back semifinal 30 minutes earlier, she would have easily won the 200 IM. Perhaps a sign she wants to attack the world record.
Anyway, Seebohm looks unbeatable in the 100 back this year.
It’s a definite sign. She said in interviews before the championship, that she really wants to be a WR holder.
She can’t be sure of the reserves of O’Connor, remember she’s a young swimmer, she can break into the top swimmers this year. 1 gold is better than 2 silvers.
True, if there is one swimmer who can push Hosszu in the IM it’s O’Connor. She’s young, is constantly improving and is definitely holding something back on the final leg. How Much? I don’t know, but she certainly wasn’t going full out in the last 50. At Glasgow her final split was 30.4 seconds. If she does that this afternoon with similar splits to the semi that would give her a 2.07.4. Is not beat Hosszu this year, but is enough to make Hosszu think.
*is not good enough
It is a statement. She could’ve win this one as well. But she wants the WR in IM. I hope she will get it 🙂
Hosszu really in a different world regarding the physical condition. By far the best athlete on the women’s side. So powerful.
Seebohm is also well muscular
Missy Franklin doesn’t have the same body. It looks like she spends much less time in the weight room. She has to think about that in the next years.
She scratched from the first place!!! The 200IM final would have been 1/2 hour away only and that is not enough even for her. That might also means that she goes for the WR (or at least try).
It was a statement swim rio will have a different schedule.
She was faster than Seebohrn and Missy Franklin. If there would have been more time between the races she might would won this one as well.
If Hungarian withdraws from 100 m back, it seems after heats (and 100 m relay when we talk about Franklin) that no one is able to beat Aussie duo here.
She scratched 100back!