2024 WORLD AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
- February 11th – February 18th
- Doha, Qatar
- LCM (50m)
- Meet Central
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Official Entries
- Live Results (Omega)
- Day 1 Prelims Live Recap | Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
- Day 3 Prelims Live Recap
- Day 3 Finals Live Recap
- Day 4 Prelims Live Recap
Day Four Prelims Relay Article
After missing the semi-final of the men’s 100 backstroke on day 2, Ksawery Masiuk of Poland led off the team’s mixed medley relay in this morning’s heats in a time that would have won bronze in the individual men’s 100 backstroke on night 3.
Masiuk led off in a 53.09, the fastest of the relay field this morning. That was much faster than his prelims swim of a 54.33 that he swam just two days ago.
A 53.09 would have been the fastest time coming out of prelims for the individual 100 back. It also would have been third in both finals and semi-finals. Hunter Armstrong of the USA won gold in the event in a 52.68 while Spain’s Hugo Gonzalez won silver in a 52.70. Greece’s Apostolos Christou won bronze touching in a 53.36, which Masiuk was faster than this morning.
Masiuk was the 2022 World Junior Champion in the 100 backstroke and made the final of the event at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka where he ultimately finished 6th in a 52.92.
Coming into Doha, Masiuk was the 3rd seed in the 100 backstroke. He also is entered in the 200 backstroke and 50 backstroke. The 100 back was his highest seed of all three events.
Poland will swim in tonight’s final after swimming the 5th fastest relay of the morning.
What happened to the men’s 100 backstroke? At 2022 worlds, it was probably the most impressive men’s event with 4 guys swimming 52.1 or faster and a new WR. Maybe I’m overreacting and we will see a fast event in Paris
The three fastest men who can compete internationally (Ceccon, Murphy, Xu) are all absent. They’re all 51-high, 52-low swimmers. Plus this is only February.
Will be a lot faster when Ceccon., Murphy & Xu are there. Think Armstrong was in shape to go a bit faster but had a rough finals swim with all that zig-zagging.
Hitting the lane line and still swimming that time is impressive. But the most impressive thing I noticed was he was 1st after the start, which he never is, hinting at improved underwaters.
noticed that too! His starts and turns have been a mess.