Ari-Pekka Liukkonen Smashes Finnish 50 Free Record In 21.58

Finnish sprinter Ari-Pekka Liukkonen put the world on notice on day 1 of the Finnish Championships in Tampere, clocking a new national record of 21.58 in the men’s 50 free.

Liukkonen had recently broken his old record of 21.92 at the Mare Nostrum stop in Monaco, where he took silver in a time of 21.90. Now less than a month later, he has lowered it again, this time by over three tenths, to move himself into #5 in the world.

2016-2017 LCM Men 50 FREE

2Bruno
FRATUS
BRA21.2707/29
3Ben
PROUD
GBR21.3204/22
4Vladimir
MOROZOV
RUS21.4404/14
5Pawel
JURASZEK
POL21.4707/29
View Top 26»

Liukkonen missed the semi-finals at both the 2015 World Championships and 2016 Olympics, but instantly becomes a medal contender later this month in Budapest with that swim. In a rough translation from Finnish, Liukkonen has said his biggest challenge is the morning prelims, and that will be his biggest focus at the World Championships.

Internationally, Liukkonen has one individual medal to his name, a bronze in the 50 free at the 2014 European Championships in Berlin. He also has a bronze from the 2012 SC Europeans in Chartres, where his Finnish team took 3rd in the mixed free relay.

MATTSSON LOWERS 17-YEAR-OLDS 100 BREAST RECORD

Another Finnish record fell on day 1 in Tampere, as Matti Mattsson broke a long-standing record in the men’s 100 breast.

Originally set in 2000, two-time Olympian Jarno Pihlava then equalled his national record in 2002, clocking 1:01.17 in the 100 breast at back-to-back European Championships. Mattsson cleared that record, putting up a time of 1:01.12.

Mattsson is known as more of a 200 breast specialist, as he won a bronze medal at the 2013 World Championships in the event. He finished 16th in the 200 at the Rio Games.

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Arek
7 years ago

You have forgotten about Paweł Juraszek breaking polish national record in may with 21:68.

https://www.swimrankings.net/index.php?page=resultDetail&id=91242925

James Sutherland
Reply to  Arek
7 years ago

It is missing from our rankings, you’re right. We’ll update that. But it was covered in May: https://swimswam.com/juraszek-pops-21-68-50-fr-national-record-poland-sending-20-worlds/

weirdo
7 years ago

Nice swim! Is there a link to complete Finnish results? thanks!

SwimFin
Reply to  weirdo
7 years ago
Dee
7 years ago

Fittingly done during pride some might say: Congrats to Ari, keep reppin’ for young gay men too scared to participate in the macho world of sport.

Dylab
Reply to  Dee
7 years ago

He’s gay?

Christiansen 800 free bronze in Budapest
Reply to  Dylab
7 years ago

Yes.

Pvdh

These usernames are getting weird

MG42

Christianwho?

Admin
Reply to  Dylab
7 years ago

Quite openly so. He came out in 2014 in a protest against Russia, and won a national award for it:

https://www.outsports.com/2015/1/14/7547297/gay-swimmer-ari-pekka-liukkonen-finland-role-model

Human Ambition
Reply to  Braden Keith
7 years ago

Not only gay. He is 208 cm.

G.I.N.A
Reply to  Human Ambition
7 years ago

A bit cramped in the sauna , no?

aquajosh
Reply to  Human Ambition
7 years ago

That’s 6’10 for the Americans playing at home.

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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