Evgeny Rylov Breaks European Record To Win 200 Back Gold

2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Russian Evgeny Rylov was a surprising scratch from the men’s 100 back, where he had a medal chance as the 5th seed. That move raised questions as to whether or not he was unhealthy or was saving everything for the 200 back. It turned out to be the ladder.

Rylov was solid in the heats, strong in the semis, and then exploded in the final to win the gold medal in a new European and Russian record of 1:53.61. The swims breaks his own record of 1:53.81, set at the Russian Championships this year.

Traditionally known more for his back-half speed, Rylov dropped a 24.5 50 back this season which suggested his speed had come a long way. He really showed it off tonight, leading the field by over 1.5 seconds 100m in, out in 54.50.

Ryan Murphy, the 2016 Olympic champion, closed on him on the back 100 but Rylov was too far out, as Murphy settled for silver in 1:54.21. His American teammate Jacob Pebley won his first major international medal, a bronze in 1:55.06. Rylov’s teammate Kliment Kolesnikov broke the junior world record again for 4th place in 1:55.14.

Rylov jumps past Murphy to become the 6th fastest performer in history.

Top Ten All-Time Performers – Men’s 200 Back

1 Aaron Peirsol 1:51.92
2 Ryosuke Irie 1:52.51
3 Ryan Lochte 1:52.96
4 Mitch Larkin 1:53.17
5 Tyler Clary 1:53.41
6 Evgeny Rylov 1:53.61
7 Ryan Murphy 1:53.62
8 Xu Jiayu 1:54.03
9 Kosuke Hagino 1:54.23
10 Radoslaw Kawecki 1:54.24

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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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