On the third day of Russian Nationals, Vlad Morozov took over, winning two events including the 100 free, where he became the first man in the world to crack 48 this season.
Morozov went 47.98 to win the national title by four tenths. He leapfrogs Australia’s Cameron McEvoy for the world lead.
2014-2015 LCM Men 100 Free
NING
47.84
| 2 | Cameron McEVOY | AUS | 47.94 | 08/05 |
| 3 | Vladimir MOROZOV | RUS | 47.98 | 04/19 |
| 3 | Santo CONDORELLI | CAN | 47.98 | 07/14 |
| 5 | Federico GRABICH | ARG | 48.11 | 07/14 |
According to the Russian Federation’s website, the Worlds Team is being selected based on the 12th-fastest time from the last World Championships in each Olympic-distance event, and the 10th-fastest time in each non-Olympic distance race.
Based on that standard, three others made the Worlds team in the 100 free: Alexander Sukhorukov (48.33), Daniel Izotov (48.41) and Andriy Grechin (48.64).
Morozov also won the 50 breaststroke, going 27.37 and also making the Worlds cut.
The Russian Federation site does note that time standards might be softer for some younger athletes on the cusp of qualifying, so we don’t officially know who is on and off the team. But with that caveat in mind, here are the rest of the other likely Worlds qualifiers from day 3:
Alexander Kudashev won the 200 fly in 1:56.30, making the cut for Worlds.
On the women’s side, three Russians got under the 12th place time in the 200 breast, and one Turkish athlete also crossed the barrier. Yuliya Efimova leads at 2:22.12, the 5th-best time in the world this season:
2014-2015 LCM Women 200 Breast
ZEYNEP
2.19.64*WJR
| 2 | Kanako WATANABE | JPN | 2.20.90 | 04/12 |
| 3 | Rikke MOLLER PEDERSEN | DEN | 2.21.58 | 06/10 |
| 4 | Rie KANETOU | JPN | 2.21.90 | 04/12 |
| 5 | Micah LAWRENCE | USA | 2.22.04 | 08/06 |
Vitalina Simonova (2:23.56) and Andreeva Sofia (2:25.14) also got under the mark, placing 2nd and 4th. In between was Turkey’s Viktoria Gunes Zeynep (2:24.48).
Anastasia Fesikova won the 50 back, making the Worlds cut time with a 28.18.
Other winners were Ivan Trofimov in the men’s 200 IM (2:00.08) and Elizabeth Gorshkova in the women’s 1500 free (16:39.98).
Semifinal winners on day 3:
- Veronika Popova won the semis of the women’s 200 free, going 1:58.05. Viktoria Andreeva sits second at 1:58.25.
- Grigory Tarasevich leads the men’s 200 back with a 1:58.53, but 100 back champ Evgeny Rylov is behind him in 2:00.41.
- Natalia Lovtsova is the top qualifier out of the women’s 100 fly with a 58.26, with Anna Polyakova and Svetlana Chimrova tied for second at 58.92.
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Race video of 100m free:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO-wvWadWzQ
He’s so quick the first 35m…
Well, not as quick as he was at 2013 worlds, which is still basically my favorite race from an entertainment standpoint.
He had a piano on his back the last 25. A suicide race.
Relive it in all its glory.
https://youtu.be/ffP7zM9f8iQ
That will forever be remembered as to not what to do. Can’t honestly imagine what he was thinking.
After he went that 40.7 at NCAA’s, he said he just went out as hard as he could.
My guess is he was hoping to replicate that, then found out the hard way that long course is a different beast.
A. Ervin managed to pull it out in Fukuoka 2001
Ervin’s strategy in Fukuoka was probably his only chance of beating Hoogenband, and it paid off because if you rewatch that race, I’m pretty sure he was about 0.4 ahead at the 50 and ends up winning by only 0.1!
I loved his 100 free in Barcelona too. He was out in 21.94 !!! Came back in 26.07 though, that must have been painful…
Considering it was a feet touch at the flip, his split would probably equal to a 21.5 or 21.6 hand touch, meaning he could have been on the podium of the 50 free !!!!!!!!!
Nobody has ever been out that fast, the second under 22 was Alain Bernard who flipped at 21.97 in a smaller meet.
Mohsin, I’ve rewatched that race many times: I have always loved Ervin’s technique and approach to racing and I believe he is one of the most talented sprinters ever. In terms of pure speed over the water, he is just wow.
Morozov was Silver on 50 free at Barcelona.. he was on the podium.. 21.47
Vlad goes the best time in the 100m this year and you still bash. Pretty or not he is on top
Who’s bashing him? My comment was one of awe… he’s best front end speed in the world and he’s making it look easier and easier. I think he’s the best bet to go 46.9 at Rio
I ain’t bashing him, either. Go big or go home, baby!
(As a fellow teeny tiny sprinter, he’ll always be a personal favorite of mine.)
holy crap the difference in turn speed shows the work he has put in. comparing the two videos above it looks like an entirely different swimmer
Sedov did not swim the 100 free?