2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
- All sports: Friday, July 12 – Sunday, July 28, 2019
- Pool swimming: Sunday, July 21 – Sunday, July 28, 2019
- The Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center, Gwangju, Korea
- Meet site
- Competition Schedule
- FinaTV Live Stream
- Entry Lists
- Results
One of the wackiest days of World Championship swimming in recent memory got a little crazier during the opening event of finals, as Danas Rapsys was disqualified in the men’s 200 freestyle after initially touching first to win the gold medal.
Rapsys charged home on the final 50, moving past Sun Yang to (appear to) claim the victory in a time of 1:44.69.
However, just moments after the finish, it was revealed that the Lithuanian had been disqualified.
The official call was for ‘movement on the blocks’, as he appeared. to move during the starter’s ‘take your marks’ call:
Momento da desclassificação do lituano Rapsys.#NatacaoNoSportTV pic.twitter.com/MEOruRa7wU
— Olympic Esporte (@OlympicEsporte) July 23, 2019
Rapsys holds Lithuania’s National Record at 1:45.12, and if the disqualification hadn’t happened he would have moved up from 15th to eighth on the all-time performer’s list.
After the DQ, Sun gets bumped up to gold in a time of 1:44.93, and Katsuhiro Matsumoto (1:45.22) of Japan gets the silver. Martin Malyutin of Russia and Duncan Scott of Great Britain, who initially appeared to tie for fourth, end up getting on the podium with a joint bronze in 1:45.63.
In fifth, Filippo Megli reset the Italian Record once again in 1:45.67.
wpDiscuz
Can this get any crazier?
Sun Yang just screamed at Scotts face in the podium. not bad for starters…
Huh?? Why would he do that
I dont know if Scott said something to him before the ceremony, but it appears that the brit joined Horton in boicoting Suns podiums
because he is a level headed young man who has never acted rash or done anything remotely resembling entitlement or attempting to gain an unfair advantage
sarcastic eye roll
seriously we’ve got a major diva creating an international relations crisis. I can’t wait for his hearing
Roid rage.
Shane Tusup has left chat
Tusup had the roid rage without the roid muscles
Sun Yang at this case did not do anything wrong…its clear false start and this is it…we give too much attention becuase he lost gold medal. If it was 34th place no one would pay attention.
Looks like a lot of the men are trying to (and succeeding) get in Sun’s head.
So unfortunate
Horton probably at his hotel crying rn
Hopefully Lithuania appeal, however FINA is there to ensure Sun Yang competes and wins.
Why?
I wanted Sun Yang to lose, but this was the correct decision, whether we like it or not.
Lithuania money doesn’t fill the pocket book like China money
I mean, its not FINA`s fault that Rapsys moved before the start. Had Sun been swimming the final or not Danas would have been disqualified fairly
Its not Rapsys fault that this is a stupid rule…up there with the Lochte turn IMO
Saw this happen at 2013(?) US Nats in the 400 free. Conor Dwyer out-touched Connor Jaeger but twitched on the blocks and lost it all. The start is basically the only time you can get DQ’d swimming a free event lol
or if you completely miss the turn and not activate the touchpad!
Was Sun Yang yelling at Duncan Scott on the podium??? Anyone else see that???
Yes everyone saw that
It was on international TV
Not false start. What speak electronic reaction data system? I want see reaction times.
I want see reaction times.
It’s abundantly clear on the video that he had movement on the blocks in the set position. That’s a DQ at the World-level every time.
Unless of course you’re Sun Yang and fully dive in.
The 2012 call was correct read the rules
Does anyone have a video? I’ve seen movement on the blocks about a half dozen times so far and the starter has correctly asked the swimmers to stand and reset. From what I can tell, the crowd is very loud and takes a long time to quiet. Unless it was a twitch right before the swimmers take off, I think a good starter avoids this issue.
It was not a twitch or flinch. He moved his back leg which would mean he had forward movement or propulsion from his back leg. It was right before the start. That is a DQ.
There is a video literally above the comments, in this very post’s body copy.
Thanks – I didn’t realize the tweet included a video. You’re right, he’s clearly moving right before the start, an obvious DQ. That’s really too bad because I don’t think he gained any advantage with that motion, as he had reset before the actual start. 1:44.6 is a great swim and Rapsys will be in play for gold in 2020.
Yes he is a great swiimer and will be in play for Olympic podium in 200 and 400 free.
He did not reset. It was a false start
Rowdy said he moved and the DQ call was correct. In Rowdy we trust.
As an official.. that was a false start. The rule states the swimmer must be motionless. He was moving forward at the starting signal
Actually the rule says “stationary”. It does not say “motionless”. It was definitely a false start though
Damnnnnn… a full on physical fight almost broke out between Sun Yang and Duncan Scott at the medal ceremony, after Scott refused to acknowledge Sun’s win and abstained from the photographs. Sun confronted Scott, all up in his grill saying: “I am the winner– you are the loser” — tensions high to say the least.
And yet no one tells Sun his behavior is not acceptable on the world stage. If anyone doubted bias around Sun, watching him get aggressive with other swimmers and then no one keeping him in check highlights it pretty well.
Not getting on the podium after FINA has already publicly handed out a warning is also highly provocative and passive aggressive. No need for all the theatrics the case will be reviewed.
Dude, did you watch the video? He was on the podium when Sun started yelling at him
Any link to the video for those of us that didn’t get to watch it live?
My live feed never showed Duncan on the podium. What I saw was Duncan standing off the podium to the side. So yes that would be provacative and passive aggressive considering the history of Mack Horton doing this as well and FINA sent a warning letter. We all know that Sun has some maturity and personality issues to begin with. There is language barrier and cultural differences impacting the situation as well. Some of Sun’s anger may be because he is unable to communicate to Duncan what he wants to say. One can even make the argument that Duncan was not protesting but trying to provoke Sun into becoming angry and making a mistake.
Pretty sure some of them are baiting him first. I don’t like him either, but we don’t see that. You young guys won’t remember Don Schollander’s gamesmanship at big meets like this.
Both Sun and Scott got a warning from the officials. Both behaviors are not “acceptable on the world stage. Obviously the game officials are keeping both (including Sun) in check. I can only conclude that someone is biased.
Well done Duncan Scott. Can’t wait for Sun Yang to hand back all his medals, when FINA grow some kahunas
cajones
WARREN, I agree with all you said…sadly Sun Yang continues to rob the hard work of honest athletes and he is allowed to do that. On the other hand, FINA has to take a look on what is going on and put it’s foot on the problem. The podium is not the place to disrespect other nations, swimmers, fans, etc. I totally disagree with the way other athletes protesting their point of view…not the place and time.
Well done Sun Yang. Can’t wait for Scott to hand back his medal if Rapsys hadn’t broken the rule.
Well done Sun Yang. Can’t wait for Scott to hand back his medal if Rapsys hadn’t broken the rule. Sun would have his medal, and Scott wouldn’t have the qualification.