Defending World Champion Chase Kalisz Does Not Advance to 400 IM Final

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

A day after finishing third overall in the 200 IM, ending the United States’ streak of world titles in the event at eight, defending champion Chase Kalisz failed to advance to the final the 400 IM Sunday morning in Gwangju.

Kalisz finished 10th overall, two spots out of advancing. He split 57.04/1:05.35/1:11.15/1:02.08 for a  4:15.62, nearly 10 seconds off his best time of 4:05.90, and two seconds slower than he was in April (4:13.45); that swim ranked him seventh in the world heading into the meet. He posted the slowest free split of anyone who finished in the top-16.

The 25-year-old Kalisz is the third-fastest performer in history in the 400 IM behind only Ryan Lochte (4:05.18) and world record holder Michael Phelps (4:03.84), the only other men to break 4:06. He saw relatively little racing in 2019 prior this meet, only notching two 400 IMs, and both were at the TYR Pro Swim Series stop in Richmond.

Japan’s Daiya Seto, who won the 400 IM in 2013 and 2015 (and the 200 IM earlier this meet), will have a chance to reclaim his title after earning the top qualfying spot. Take a look at the top eight, which includes Kalisz’s Univeristy of Georgia teammate Jay Litherland:

TOP 8 – FINALS QUALIFIERS

  1. Daiya Seto (JPN) – 4:12.27
  2. Arjan Nipping (NED) – 4:13.46
  3. Jay Litherland (USA) – 4:13.78
  4. Max Litchfield (GBR) – 4:14.35
  5. Lewis Clareburt (NZL) – 4:14.56
  6. Maksym Shemberev (AZE) – 4:14.62
  7. Joanllu Pons (ESP) – 4:15.14
  8. Phillip Heintz (GER) – 4:15.24

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Swimmer
4 years ago

I doubt if there is an illness. He has been in a training slump. Just look at the Bulldog Grand Slam. He swam prelims in several races but only one final.

Texas Tap Water
4 years ago

These World Championships has EVERYTHING! The drama, fast swims, shocker swims, world records and more!

Texas Tap Water
4 years ago

LET’S GO BAELEB

Texas Tap Water
4 years ago

LET’S GO ANDREW
LET’S GO REGAN

Kristiina
4 years ago

This is Ryan Lochte changes win US Olympic trials next year. Ryan swam 4:15 last year. This is final level.

Texas Tap Water
4 years ago

Can someone answer the all important question?

Are Kalisz and Smoliga in relationship?

There was a Swimswam article some months back that seemed to insinuate they were together? Or was I imagining things?

Swimming4silver
Reply to  Texas Tap Water
4 years ago

No

Teach Dean Breaststroke for the 200 IM
4 years ago

We’ve got like 6 Americans who go between 3:33 and 3:37 yards, but can’t post up anyone besides Jay under 4:16??? I get Chase wasn’t 100% though, it happens. It’s just all of a sudden become a weaker event for the US for no reason. Even in the 200 IM, I’m thinking there’s got to be some US guys that can go at least 1:57.

save up sammy
4 years ago

My number one suspicion has not come up. And I hope it isn’t one of the others already mentioned; sick, bad taper, etc. Top seeds saving energy in early rounds is not unusual, particularly for a grueling race like the 400 IM. Every year, every big meet at every level, this strategy backfires on a few ‘sure bets’. Coaches frequently remind their stars that there is not much margin. Cruising to the finish (slowest free leg by Kalisz) is a classic ‘save up’ strategy. Sometimes those ‘amazing’ (but not surprising) victories out of Lane 1 are a clue. But you just don’t get that chance out of Lane None.

About Torrey Hart

Torrey Hart

Torrey is from Oakland, CA, and majored in media studies and American studies at Claremont McKenna College, where she swam distance freestyle for the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps team. Outside of SwimSwam, she has bylines at Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, SB Nation, and The Student Life newspaper.

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