Katinka Hosszu Breaks European Record in 200 IM in Prelims

Katinka Hosszu has broken her own European Record in the prelims of the women’s 200 meter IM on Sunday at the 2015 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia, and earned the top qualification into this evening’s semi-finals in the process.

Hosszu swam a 2:07.30, which improved upon her own 2:07.46 done back at the 2009 World Championships.

In 2009, wearing a rubber suit, Hosszu was an almost recognizably different swimmer. She was a butterflier, not a backstroker, and was only beginning to show glimmers of the versatile superstar she would become. While she had already shown signs of stardom on the NCAA level, in the summer of 2009 she had just finished her freshman season with the Trojans.

Ironically, her comparative splitting doesn’t obviously reflect the overall changes she’s gone through as a swimmer. Her butterfly split was the same as it was in 2009. Her backstroke split got slower, even though her backstroke has improved by leaps-and-bounds since. Her breaststroke improved a little, but her closing speed is exactly as it was in 2009.

Comparative splits:

This could mean that another drop is to come for Hosszu in the semi-finals in what is a relatively-quiet part of the meet for the Hungarian as part of a crowded seven-individual-entry schedule.

Hosszu’s swim ranks as the 4th-fastest performance of all-time, and improves her standing as the third-fastest performer. Her swim is also the fastest ever done outside of the 2009 super-suit era, beating Ye Shiwen’s 2:07.57 from the 2012 Olympics

11 fastest performances in history:

1. Ariana Kukors, USA – 2:06.15 – 2009
T-2. Ariana Kukors, USA – 2:07.03 – 2009
T-2. Stephanie Rice, AUS – 2:07.03 – 2009
4. Katinka Hosszu, HUN – 2:07.30 – 2015
5. Katinka Hosszu, HUN – 2:07.46 – 2009
6. Ye Shiwen, CHN – 2:07.57 – 2012
7. Katinka Hosszu, HUN – 2:07.92 – 2013
8. Katinka Hosszu, HUN – 2:08.11 – 2014
9. Alicia Coutts, AUS – 2:08.15 – 2012
10. Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, GBR – 2:08.21 – 2014
11. Hui Qi, CHN – 2:08.32 – 2009