Mexican swimmer Daniel Torres, who trains with Club Wolverine in Michigan in the United States, twice broke his country’s National Record on Wednesday in the 100 long course meter backstroke.
The 24-year old from Chihuahua, Mexico first swam a 56.23 in prelims of the 100 back as an international entry at the Canadian Olympic Trials, and then backed that up with a 55.98 in finals. Both swims bettered the 2010 record done by Miguel Robles in 2010.
Comparative splits:
- Torres (Prelims): 27.26/28.97 = 56.23
- Torres (Finals): 26.86/29.12 = 55.98
- Robles (2010): 27.65/28.80 = 56.45
Torres’ split-spread was much greater than was Robles’ when he broke the old record.
While the Mexican Federation is currently suspended by FINA, and have cancelled their Olympic Trials meet, they are supporting select swimmers in their efforts to qualify for the Olympic games at other international meets. While swimmers are not allowed to represent Mexico at these meets, an agreement was struck to allow them to represent and march with their country in Rio.
So far, only Lily Ibañez and Long Gutierrez have been named as Olympic swimming qualifiers from Mexico.
Torres’ swim cleared the FINA “B” qualifying time, but is still short of the FINA “A” time of 54.36.
