7TH FINA WORLD JUNIOR SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019
- 50-Meter Course
- Duna Arena, Budapest (Hungary)
- Pool swimming: Tuesday, August 20 – Sunday, August 25, 2019
- Heats 9:30am GMT+2 (3:30 am EDT / 12:30 am PDT)/ Semifinals and Finals 5:30pm GMT+2 (11:30am EDT / 8:30am PDT)
- Meet site
- Entries book
- FinaTV Live Stream (subscription required)
- Live results
17-year-old David Curtiss of the United States busted out the swim of his life tonight in Budapest, producing the first sub-22 second 50m freestyle of his young career. Entering these World Junior Championships, the Hamilton Y Aquatics star held a personal best of 22.25 in this sprint event, a time he put up just weeks ago at the U.S. Summer Nationals.
This morning in the heats here at Duna Arena, Curtiss claimed the top seed in a new PB of 22.16, inching closer to the 22-second barrier. The next closest prelims swimmer was Ukraine’s Vladyslav Bukhov, who hit the wall in 22.29.
With designs on a run at the gold, however, Curtiss blasted a semi time of 21.95 to land lane 4 and join the 21-club, becoming just the 3rd American aged 17-18 to do so. Curtiss’ time ranks #3 behind Olympian and World Champion Caeleb Dressel‘s National Age Group Record for 17-18 of 21.53 at the 2015 U.S. Nationals. Michael Andrew ranks #2 in this age group with his mark of 21.75 that won gold at this same meet 2 years ago.
Also of note is the fact that Curtiss has now raced his way onto the USA National Team with his 21.95 evening swim. His time bumps Robert Howard and Bowe Becker off the list, as the pair were tied in the 6th slot with a time of 22.00.
| 50 FREE | |
| Caeleb Dressel | 21.04 |
| Michael Andrew | 21.62 |
| Ryan Held | 21.87 |
| Nathan Adrian | 21.87 |
| Michael Chadwick | 21.95 |
| Robert Howard (T-6) | 22.00 |
| Bowe Becker (T-6) | 22.00 |
Curtiss still has the final yet to go to drop potentially even more time and take a spot on the 50m free podium.
Video courtesy of James Foster:
Just phenomenal! I have had the honor of watching David on numerous occasions over the years, as well as my boys the opportunity to compete against him (YMCA meets, Easterns, etc,) . He is a true competitor and one of the nicest young athletes I’ve ever met, on or off deck. Can’t wait to see what he does next!! David – we are rooting for you here in Southeastern PA! YPride!
If Curtiss has medical insurance from his parents (likely), can he give his national team healthcare coverage benefit to swimmers lower down the national team list? Lots of swimmers aren’t covered and can go bankrupt at any moment should something happen.
Is he the youngest American to ever break 22 or was Andrew younger?
I watched that swim three times
Wow
Potential
Wow
Did anybody else take a second look at Dressels 21.04 and go, “wait was he that fast?” Or was it just me?
Tbh the 21.0 was overlooked in the midst of the 46.9 and 49.5
Monster swim by Curtiss. Been on a great improvement curve the past few years. Crazy that he knocks of Howard and Becker from the last national team spot but definitely well deserved! Those two finished 3rd and 4th in the 50 free final at NCAAs(granted it was scy) so looking forward to David’s future.
What a thing of beauty. With that stroke it seems he should have a great 100 in him, somewhere.
51.4 this summer. Coming soon, maybe
where he goin t college when eligible?