Mireia Belmonte and Seven Others Head to Budapest on Spain Worlds Team

Mireia Belmonte is the biggest name on the Spanish roster for the 2017 Budapest World Championships. She’s the defending Olympic Champion in the 200m fly, and she won a whopping six events at Spanish Nationals this spring. Belmonte comes in with medal potential in multiple events– she’s in the world top 20 in all six of the events that she swam at Spanish Nationals, and is world #3 in both the 400 IM and 1500 free.

Jessica Vall is another big name for the Spaniards. At Spanish Nationals, her 1:06.44 in the 100 breast was a lifetime best and a Spanish record. That time ranks her 7th in the world this year, while her 2:25.17 in the 200 breast ranks her 18th.  Nineteen year olds Africa Zamorano and Jimena Perez will round out the women’s roster.

Among the men, national record holder Miguel Durán will be representing Spain in Budapest. He is the Spanish record holder in the 200 and 400 free, and 2016 Olympians Hugo GonzalesAntonio Arroyo, and Joan Pons will join him at Worlds.

Full Roster

  • Mireia Belmonte
  • Jessica Vall
  • Jimena Pérez
  • Africa Zamorano
  • Hugo Gonzales
  • Antonio Arroyo
  • Miguel Durán
  • Joan Pons

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Brownish
6 years ago

Open water?

Jorge
Reply to  Brownish
6 years ago

Spanish Nationals open water will be next week.

Wirotomo
6 years ago

No Marina Garcia?

Jorge
Reply to  Wirotomo
6 years ago

She did not qualify last April.

nuotofan
Reply to  Jorge
6 years ago

Hi Jorge.
What about Cesar Castro, the “other golden boy” (besides Hugo Gonzalez) of Spanish Swimming?

Jorge
Reply to  nuotofan
6 years ago

He had surgery on his shoulders last year. Since then, his first competition was last week:
http://www.nataccion.com/cesar-castro-reaparece-en-navalmoral-con-buenas-sensaciones-51-42-y-151-en-los-100-y-200-libres/

Jorge
Reply to  nuotofan
6 years ago

Castro had surgery on his shoulders last year. His firs competition since then was last week.

nuotofan
6 years ago

I will never understand why Belmonte swim the 200 im at Worlds or Olympics.
She has already a super-lofty schedule (200 fly, 400 im, 400, 800 and 1500 free) and then happen, like at Worlds2015, that she has to swim the 200 im semifinal just a few minutes later the 800 free final.
So, no chance to qualify for the final also for a tremendous racer like Belmonte is.

Jorge
Reply to  nuotofan
6 years ago

According her coach, Fred Vergnoux, more is better.

nuotofan
Reply to  Jorge
6 years ago

Yes, I know her coach’s opinion, but I think that too much is too much also for an incredible athlete like Mireia.

Jorge
Reply to  nuotofan
6 years ago

Agree with you. Mireia wants to win 200 fly in Budapest. No Groves, no Hoshi… maybe Katinka….

Rebecca
Reply to  nuotofan
6 years ago

Actually, Mireia Belmonte didn’t compete at Worlds 2015 due to a shoulder injury.
Also, at Worlds 2013, Mireia was 3rd in the 200 IM final, so it is logical she still keeps swimming this event!

Jorge
Reply to  Rebecca
6 years ago

Yes, but remember 2014 European. Last position in the 200IM final (2.18.46) after swimming 800 FR (silver).

nuotofan
Reply to  Rebecca
6 years ago

Obviously I meant European2014, like Jorge has noted.
At Worlds things will be even more difficult, also considering that Mireia, like everyone, is getting older.

About Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon studied sociology at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, graduating in May of 2018. He began swimming on a club team in first grade and swam four years for Wesleyan.

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