Popova Breaks Into The Top Five In The 200 Freestyle With A New Russian Record

On day three for the Russian National Championships Veronika Popova posted a 1:56.39 in the semi-final of the women’s 200 freestyle, setting a new national record and put herself into the fifth place position in the world rankings. Popova broke her own national mark of 1:56.84, which she put up at the 2012 Olympics and is now tied with Femke Heemskerk of the Netherlands in the world rankings.

2014 LCM Women 200 Free TYR World Ranking

SarahSWE
SJOSTROM
04/12
1.55.04
2Katie
LEDECKY
USA1.55.1608/07
3Femke
HEEMSKERK
NED1.55.3512/12
4Emma
McKEON
AUS1.55.5707/24
5Federica
PELLEGRINI
ITA1.55.6904/11
View Top 51»

This is a very positive sign for Popova who had a down year in 2013 recording a season’s best of 1:57.40. 

She was the fastest qualifier on the day beating the next competitor by almost four seconds.

Yesterday Vladimir Morozov put up a 48.25 in men’s 100 freestyle semi-final to take over fifth place in the world rankings. Tonight Morozov was not quite able to match his performance from the semi-final, but took the event in a time of 48.31. He was followed by Alexander Sukhorukov who finished in a time of 48.66 and Sergey Fesik who hit the wall in a time of 48.76.

Danilla Izotov and Andrey Grechin tied for fourth in a time of 48.80.

The Russian 4 x 100 freestyle relay team should be in good shape to give the French a run for their money in Berlin.

Morozov then went on to tie for the win in the men’s 50 breaststroke. Morozov and Andrei Nikolayev both touched in a time of 27.78. Igor Golvin finished third in a time of 28.00.

Daria Ustinova, who broke the Junior World Record in the women’s 200 backstroke yesterday, completed her sweep of the women’s backstroke events winning the 50 in a time of 28.18. Alexandra Papusha finished second in a time of 28.71 followed by 14 year old Maria Kamenev who hit the wall in a time of 29.11.

Nikolay Skvortsov took the men’s 200 butterfly in a time of 1:56.98. He was followed by Alexander Kudashov who posted a time of 1;57.42 and Artem Lazarev who finished in a time of 1:59.40.

Earlier in the week when Yuliya Efimova‘s punishments were handed out Vitalina Simonova was elevated to the silver medal position from the European Short Course Championships December. Today she took advantage of her opportunity to win the national championship in the 200 breaststroke recording a time of 2:24.93 beating her lifetime best of 2:26.58 which she posted in 2006.

Ivan Trofimov took the men’s 200 IM in a time of 1:59.87. Dmitry Gorbunov finished second in a time of 2:00.39 followed by Alexander Tikhonov who touched in a time of 2:00.66.

Anna Belousova finished second in a time of 2:27.67 followed by Anastasia Chaun who posted a time of 2:28.48.

Svetlana Chimrova was the fastest qualifier in the women’s 100 butterfly posting a time of 58.68 while Andrey Shabasov was the fastest qualifier in the men’s 200 backstroke recording a time of 1:59.54.

Full results can be found here 

 

 

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thomaslurzfan
9 years ago

I think germany could at most improve by 1.0 in combined times and i dont know if thats enough to beat gb and italy for bronze medal.

thomaslurzfan
9 years ago

Although i dont think that germany will have a chance against russia or france, if u add up this years times, then germany was 0.40 faster than france:

Biedermann 48.31
Deibler 48.56
Hornikel 49.29
Deibler 49.32

Which would be 3.15.48, maybe you confused germany with france, because the total time of france would be 3.15.88

Rafael
Reply to  thomaslurzfan
9 years ago

Just copied times from blog do coach. Thanks for the correction

bobo gigi
Reply to  thomaslurzfan
9 years ago

You’re right to be cautious.
Many people also added the times last year after French nationals and they didn’t look like the favorites. However, they won the world title in Barcelona.

The big names of French swimming were not tapered at the French nationals this year.
They will be much faster next summer but I don’t expect an easy win in the relay.
It will be very close with Russia.
The French team is on paper Manaudou, Agnel, Gilot and Stravius.
I don’t know the schedule of the European championships but if the 400 free is on the same day as the men’s relay it’s a problem for Agnel and the relay.
I see… Read more »

Rafael
Reply to  bobo gigi
9 years ago

For Pan Pacs Bra will go with Cielo, Chiereguinni ( who can probably go sub-48 flat start both) de Lucca and Nicolas/Fratus.

Pvdh
9 years ago

Usa freestyle is kind of weird this year with phelps coming back. Adrian and feigen are locks.

Rafael
9 years ago

Pussieldi made a sum of the best times on 100 freestyle this year for a “relay” battler.. only US without times now..

Australia
James Magnussen 47:59
Cameron McEvoy 47:65
Tommaso D’orsogna 48:72
Kenneth To 49:00
Total 3:12:96

Brasil
Cesar Cielo 48:13
Matheus Santana 48:31
João de Lucca 48:67
Marcelo Chierighini 48:72
Total 3:13:83

Russia
Vladimir Morozov 48:25
Alex Sukhorukov 48:66
Sergey Fesikov 48″76
Ioan Andrey/Danila Iozotov 48:80
Total 3:14:47

France
Florent Manaudou 48:69
Mehdy Metella 48:72
Fabien Gillot 49:13
Gregory Mallet 49:34
Total 3:15:48

About Jeff Grace

Jeff Grace

Jeff is a 500 hour registered yoga teacher who holds diplomas in Coaching (Douglas College) and High Performance Coaching (National Coaching Institute - Calgary). He has a background of over 20 years in the coaching profession, where he has used a unique and proven teaching methodology to help many achieve their …

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