Michael Phelps swam his fastest 200m freestyle since the comeback tonight, posting a 1:48.20 to grab the silver behind training partner Yannick Agnel here at the Santa Clara Grand Prix.
Technically speaking it was a great race for Phelps. He kept up with 2013 200m freestyle world champion Agnel throughout most of the race, the only thing that was missing was that strong Phelps finish that has turned so many of his races into gold medal performances.
Split-wise Phelps was on point. The first 50m he went out in 25.08 and after that he kept consistent 27-mids to 27-highs throughout the race (27.43, 2.93, 27.76).
Looking at the splits, it’s clear that Phelps is in a good place training wise. He seems to have a definite increase in his overall fitness since Charlotte, the only thing missing is that back end speed. Considering he swam a 48.80 in the 100m freestyle yesterday though, it looks as though his speed is there, he just hasn’t found it coming home in the longer race.
Considering that he was up against two of the toughest competitors in the world in this event: Agnel and Conor Dwyer, and was able to compete shows that he is definitely on the right track to once again dominating the waters of the 200m freestyle.
His stroke looked fluid and long and his turns looked good. It might not have been one of the fastest times in the world this year, but it was a well put together race, something he can be proud of.
@NeilJones Agreed. He is the biggest name in the sport. This is nothing new. The biggest names get the most attention. Jordan, Tiger, LeBron, etc…
Yep I do disagree Samuel. You said it, greatest of all time coming back. Yannic wouldn’t get near the press without Phelps in the story, no disrespect to him. I’m an old coach and still a huge swimming fan but I’m paying way more attention this spring due to MP. Similar impact (though not same degree) add Tiger’s on golf, way more interest when he’s there, minimal when he’s not. ..
Last time I checked you had to qualify at Nationals to make the PanPac team.
Phelps will swim on the 4×100 and the 4×200 freestyle relays this summer at the big international meet. Pan Pacs right? He will also swim the 100 fly in the relay and individually.
Let’s see how he does in the 2 IM tomorrow then we can determine if he ready to swim that too at PP’s.
Whether he medals or not. Well, on the relays yeah and 100 fly yeah. 2 IM still undetermined. Until tomorrow.
I love Phelps, don’t get me wrong, but this blow by blow analysis of his swimming seems a little excessive. Maybe some similar analysis for Franklin, Beisel, Agnel, Dwyer, etc. to even things up. As always swimswam readers, feel free to disagree with me!! 🙂
And why the need to interview Michael when he wasn’t even the winner. This is already the 3rd Grand Prix he has swam in. We get that he is the greatest swimmer in the world and we get he is coming back. Towards the end of the interview, Agnel was probably thinking “why am I even up here”.
Agreed. Love MP, but enough. And let’s interview the winners about something other than how it felt to swim against him.