Vladimir Morozov is having what you could call a good year since London.
He started out by winning both the 50 and 100 freestyle at the World Short Course Championships in Istanbul, setting a Russian national record in the 50 posting a time of 20.55. Then there was this little meet a few weeks ago, the NCAA Championships where he won the 100 yard freestyle in a time of 40.76, breaking Cesar Cielo’s NCAA record of 40.92. He also won the 50 yard freestyle and if that wasn’t enough he broke 18 seconds in a relay split posting a 17.86.
Less than a month later in the first four days Russian National Championships Morozov has won the 50 backstroke, breaking the national record in the semi-finals (24.80) and qualified for Barcelona in the 100 backstroke finishing second in a time of 53.70.
On day five of the event Morozov became the first person in the world this year to go under 48 in the 100 freestyle. The 20 year old Russian won the men’s 100 freestyle in a time of 47.93. Coming into the meet his best long course time had been 48.55 which he did at the Russian National Swimming Cup in June of last year.
Nikita Lobintsev and Danila Izotov were not far behind. Lobintsov posted a time of 48.17 just one one-hundredth of a second ahead of Izotov who finished in a time of 48.18.
Morozov’s night was not done there, he went on to record a 27.81 to qualify for the top spot in the 50 breaststroke final.
200 breaststroke Olympic bronze medalist Yuliya Efimova won the women’s 200 breaststroke in a time of 2:25.55. Even though the time is the second fastest done in the world this year there is still quite a gap between Efimova and Rikke Moller Pedersen who leads the world with a time of 2:20.53.
Irina Novikova, who turned 17 today, finished second in a time of 2:27.03 followed by Maria Temnikova who posted a time of 2:28.29. Both Efimova and Novikova were under the FINA A standard of 2:27.88.
17 year old Svetlana Chimrova, who earlier in the meet won the 50 butterfly in a new national record time of 26.33, took the 100 butterfly in a time of 58.51. The speedy Chimrova went out in a time of 26.99 well ahead of the field and held off the fast charging Irina Bespalov who finished second posting a time of 58.65. Both women were under the FINA A standard of 58.89.
Veronika Popova finished third in a time of 58.98.
Evgeny Kulikov won the men’s 800 freestyle in a time of 7:57.12 which is under the FINA A standard of 7:59.06.
After choosing to forgo the 200 backstroke because of a foot injury, Anastasia Zueva went on to win 100 backstroke in a time of 1:00.24 and today qualified first for the 50 backstroke final recording a time of 28.57. She was followed by 14 year old Daria Ustinova, who continues to have an outstanding meet. Ustinova posted a time of 28.75 breaking her own junior national record of 28.92.
The top two finishers in the women’s 100 freestyle qualified first and second for the 200 freestyle final. Veronika Popova was the top qualifier finishing in a time of 1:58.66 followed by Victoria Andreeva who posted a 1:59.51.
In the semi-finals of the men’s 100 butterfly Evengy Koptelov posted the top time of 52.28 followed by Nikita Konovalov who finished in a time of 52.57. The times currently rank third and fourth in the world.
Arkady Vyatchanin, winner of the 100 backstroke, qualified first for the 200 backstroke final in a time of 1:59.62.
Full results can be found here
What we can say is that Russia has a very good future with its men’s 4X100 free relay, at least until 2016. With young talented sprinters like Vlad Morozov, Danila Izotov and especially Evgeny Sedov, I believe the future looks bright for the Russian sprint. I think their big goal is to win this relay at home in 2015.
1.80m (5′ 11”)?
I remember Ang Peng Siong (Singapore), the same height as Morozov.
His record 22.69 in 50m free set in 1982 (then WR is 22.54). On the first time, 50m free contested in 1986 World Championships, he got no. 4, after Tom Jager (1.91m), Dano Halsall (1.90m) and Matt Biondi (2.00m).
and of course the shortest elite I remember: Christophe Kalfayan (France) 1.76m (5′ 9″), no. 4 (22.50) in 1992 Olympics 50m free (tied with Peter Williams (RSA)), after Popov, Biondi & Jager).
I find it interesting that so many people keep doubting what Morozov is capable of doing. Some might want to keep opinions to themselves, because they keep getting proven wrong. If Gregg Troy was his coach, people would talk about him like he was the second coming of the messiah, but alas, he is coached by Salo, an therefore is not capable of something extraordinary.
Oh wow… what a shade you threw at Dave Salo!
Semi – Vlad 21.72, Sedov 22.38
Looks like Vlad is having no problem translating his short course success to the big pool.
He’s still much better in short course. But his long course times are more and more interesting.
so 20 year old wins the russian 100 free (that’s no joke) n has the top time in the world, coming off of a sc world championship and ncaa championships and recording breaking of (both cielo and adrian’s records) and not too mention that the guy won both the 50 back and has a good chance of winning the 50 breast and 50 free— when, if ever, have you seen a guy with the ability to swim those 50’s so fast— i bet if it played out he could win the 50 fly….. i know you guys don’t do research, but lochte only made a relay and the 200 IM at 20 for the uS national team. i know you… Read more »
Why are you comparing Morozov to Lochte? I don’t understand.
I haven’t also well understood his comment but I believe he’s impressed by the versatility of Vlad Morozov and he compares that to Ryan Lochte.
Also, if you want to compare 100 free, here’s comparison:
James Magnussen swam 47.49 when he was 20 yo. At 20 yo he also won two world championships gold medals.
And get this,
Cameron McEvoy swam 48.5 last year when he was 17 yo. By the way, he’s also as tall as Morozov.
Morozov is extremely talented, but
Morozov went 22.13 on the prelims.. but Sedov already went 22.45! Which is the 17 year old fastest on 50 freestyle?
McEvoy was 22.26 last year at 17. I don’t think anyone else has been quicker than that. I think the quickest for 16 is 22.44 (Morozov in rubber).
Slight correction here.
Magnussen was still 20 at last years trials, meaning that he set the current textile WR of 47.10 aged 20.
which means his ‘twin’ James Roberts was 47.63 aged 20.
And a guy who can swim the 50´s that fast? You did not watch Manadou swimming also?
any link to the video of men 100 free?
Thanks!
http://news.sportbox.ru/Vidy_sporta/plavanie/spbvideo_NI373144_Kubok-Rossii-Final-Deni-5
75min
worth… Sedov -49.31
BROOK,
we need a confirmation of SEDOV birth date.We only know he is born in 1996.
If he is still sixteen, its the BEST EVER.
Sedov-17. dob – 01.29. 1996
How fast thorpe was with 16? I know he was 50 flat with 15..
Thorpe was 50.21 at 15
And 49.71 at 16
and in briefs…
Unfortunately he’s 17, so has to go under Cameron McEvoy’s 48.58 for best ever
Really impressive swim by Morozov, and I’m going to make a brave call that he does get close to his target. I don’t think he’ll go 21.3, but I think he’s got a good chance for somewhere around 21.4-21.7 range. As for the 100m – watch what happens in Barcelona after Dave Salo gets a few months to improve his stroke rate efficiency! He already mentioned that that’s what Vlad needed to work on before NCAAs, so look out for back-half improvement.
What I will say is that Danila Izotov is looking dangerous. He’s been a great talent for many years and it seems like that he is finally finding some form that he’s been missing since 2010. Though I’m… Read more »