Andrew Rips Another 24-Second 50 Back At Day 2 Prelims In Doha

2018 FINA WORLD CUP – DOHA

There were only five events contested at day 2 prelims of the 2018 FINA World Cup stop in Doha, with many of the other events fielding less than eight swimmers. Tonight’s finals session will feature a full slate of twelve events.

Among the races done this morning was the men’s 50 back, where American Michael Andrew rattled off his third consecutive sub-25 swim for the top seed. After subsequent showings of 24.66 and 24.49 at the first stop in Kazan, the 19-year-old phenom hit a time of 24.73 in the heats for the top seed by over a second.

Currently, his 24.49 from Kazan has him in position to claim the second spot at the World Championships next year, and while that spot won’t officially be decided until June, he’ll be looking to lower that time in the final.

The only other three who were under 26 seconds in the prelims were Jesse Puts (25.84), Mitch Larkin (25.86) and Kazan winner Vlad Morozov (25.99).

Both Larkin and Morozov doubled up during prelims, with the Australian advancing 5th through to the final of the 200 IM in 2:05.77 and the Russian moving on in 5th in the 100 free in 50.86. Tom Peribonio (2:01.40) of Ecuador and Pieter Timmers (49.30) of Belgium were the top seeds, and notable names Anton Chupkov (2:03.07) and Blake Pieroni (49.66) qualified 2nd in each event respectively.

Sarah Sjostrom claimed the top seed in the only two female events of the session, leading the ten-swimmer single preliminary heat in the 200 freestyle in 2:02.02 and topping the 50 fly lineup in 25.67. Femke Heemskerk (2:02.22) sits 2nd in the 200, with Katinka Hosszu (2:04.36) in 4th, while Kim Busch (26.45) and Ranomi Kromowidjojo (26.49) sit 2-3 in the 50 fly. Hosszu ended up missing the final in the 50 fly with the 9th-fastest time of 29.27.

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jen
5 years ago

need all strokes in 50meter distance at the Olympics!

Bob
5 years ago

I still hate that all the 50s are not in the Olympics, MA will miss out on medal opportunities. Oh and Bobo just don’t …

ERVINFORTHEWIN
5 years ago

Timmers is back into the big pool : good news for the 6 Foot 9 Belgian swimmer

Dee
5 years ago

Nice to see Pieter Timmers back healthy and swimming fast.

Boknows34
5 years ago

MA wins the final and matches his 24.49 from Kazan.

LPman
5 years ago

hahahaha…rips

PPKL
5 years ago

We are all watching the development of a Phenom in Michael Andrew!! I love that the new headlines have him alongside of Ledecky and Dressel. He is just so exciting to watch and has so much potential with all the Strokes that he swims well. I am like his dad and would love to see the 200 IM become his signature event.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  PPKL
5 years ago

agreed – he feels unstoppable this year and constantly improving …. we need guys like him

jen
Reply to  PPKL
5 years ago

I love watching him swim! I do think he should stretch his boundaries and hire some elite coaches to see if they can improve him in any way leading up to the Olympics….his dad has likely done all he can. Might be nice to infuse a fresh perspective in terms of coaching. Might shave more time and be more competitive in the 100m and IM events. Otherwise, he is somewhat limited (thus far) leading into Tokyo (so it seems according to my laymen’s viewpoint, anyways)…

RPS
Reply to  jen
5 years ago

You’ve GOT to be kidding…….”Elite Coaches?” This kid is 19 years old and hasn’t peaked, and you’re already assuming that someone else could do better? Do you not remember his earlier races when his underwaters were poor – now he’s got those doing well. There aren’t many “elite” coaches, only “elite” athletes that know what they want. Peter is getting all kinds of advice from others and implementing it into their routine. If anything, I think more swimmers should consider transitioning over to Peter’s style of coaching when they get to San Diego.

tea rex
5 years ago

These prelims are ridiculous. Should have just been timed finals at night.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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