Rylov, Chikunova Lead Group of Seven New Russian Olympic Qualifiers On Day 3

2021 RUSSIAN NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Russian Olympic roster grew from 10 to 17 swimmers on the third day of the national Trials in Kazan, with veterans and newcomers alike booking their tickets to Tokyo.

2016 Olympic medalists Evgeny Rylov and Yuliya Efimova were among the names added to the team, with Rylov doing so in the men’s 100 backstroke and Efimova in the women’s 100 breaststroke.

Rylov, who placed sixth in the 100 back in Rio and won bronze in the 200, claimed the 100 back tonight in a blistering time of 52.12, launching him into #1 in the world this season as he makes his second Olympic team. The swim is also the 10th-fastest of all-time.

Joining Rylov in the event for Tokyo will be first-time Olympian Kliment Kolesnikov, who clocked 52.24 to move into a tie as the ninth-fastest swimmer of all-time.

Efimova earns a spot on her fourth Olympic team, having made her debut in 2008, after taking second to 16-year-old Evgeniia Chikunova in the women’s 100 breast.

Chikuna won the event in 1:06.06 — lowering Efimova’s national junior record of 1:06.08 set in Beiijing — with Efimova the runner-up in 1:06.22. Efimova is a three-time Olympic medalist, including a silver in 2016 in the 100 breast, while Chikunova makes her first Olympic team.

Also making their fourth Olympic team was 30-year-old Anastasia Fesikova, who took second to first-time Olympian Maria Kameneva in the women’s 100 backstroke.

In the men’s 200 freestyle it was Martin Malyutin, who qualified for the team on Saturday in the 400 free, winning in 1:45.18 to add a second individual event at the Games. Taking second was 20-year-old Ivan Girev, qualifying for his first Olympic team in a competitive field that saw four men go sub-1:46.

In regards to relay qualification, specific relay-only swimmers may be added to the Olympic team after the meet, but only the individual qualifiers automatically get added to the roster for now.

RUSSIAN OLYMPIC ROSTER (THRU DAY 3)

Men Event(s) Women Event(s)
Ilya Borodin 400 IM Arina Surkova 100 butterfly
Maxim Stupin 400 IM Svetlana Chimrova 100 butterfly
Martin Malyutin 200/400 freestyle Anna Egorova 400 freestyle
Alexander Egorov 400 freestyle Anastasia Kirpichnikova 400 freestyle
Kirill Prigoda 100 breaststroke Maria Kameneva 100 backstroke
Anton Chupkov 100 breaststroke Anastasia Fesikova 100 backstroke
Ivan Girev 200 freestyle Evgeniia Chikunova 100 breaststroke
Evgeny Rylov 100 backstroke Yuliya Efimova 100 breaststroke
Kliment Kolesnikov 100 backstroke

In This Story

9
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

9 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
WKH
2 years ago

Are the Russians allowed to compete in Tokyo ?

Troyy
Reply to  WKH
2 years ago

No, they’re having trials just for fun.

Troll in the Dungeon
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

This made me laugh.

BKP
2 years ago

Impressive! Murphy and USA backstrokers on notice…Rylov and Kolesnikov looking to pull a Grevers-Thoman circa 2012!

whever
Reply to  BKP
2 years ago

good prediction.

Tomek
2 years ago

I hope I’m wrong but I doubt we will see four sub 1:46 swimmers in 200 free in US trials.

BKP
Reply to  Tomek
2 years ago

We have the talent, but can they execute?!

Hswimmer
Reply to  Tomek
2 years ago

I think Haas will. Selli will be close

Hswimmer
Reply to  Tomek
2 years ago

4, I doubt but at least 2.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

Read More »