Gold Rush for Katinka Hosszu During First Two Days in Hungary

DEBRECEN, Hungary, June 27. THE Hungarian National Championships, the last chance for some swimmers to make the nation's World Championship roster, kicked off yesterday in Debrecen, and Katinka Hosszu kept on swimming, and winning, a bunch of events.

Hosszu started off the meet on day one with a season-best 2:07.85 to win the women's 200-meter fly. That swim bettered her previous top time this year of 2:08.41 and moved her to sixth in the world rankings, just behind compatriot Zsuzsanna Jakabos (2:07.38). Liliana Szilagyi (2:08.74) and Boglarka Kapas (2:09.11) finished second and third in the event.

Hosszu followed up on day one with a 4:41.99 to capture the women's 400-meter IM gold medal. She's been much faster this year with a fifth-ranked 4:35.60 to her credit from the Mare Nostrum circuit. Dorina Szekeres placed second in 4:44.34, while Reka Gyorgy took third in 4:48.64.

Hosszu corralled her third gold medal of the meet with a 2:30.62 in the women's 200-meter breaststroke. Viktoria Kardos (2:35.03) and Reka Pecz (2:35.15) touched second and third in the finale. Hosszu doubled up on day two with a 1:01.03 to win the women's 100-meter back, while Indiana Hoosier Szekeres took second in 1:03.00. Evelyn Verraszto took third in 1:03.11.

Hosszu ran her meet winnings to five with her third victory of day two when she topped the women's 50-meter fly in 27.03. Szilagyi (27.16) and Sara Joo (27.34) joined her on the podium in the sprint fly. Hosszu had a rare silver in the women's 800-meter free on day two as Kapas won in 8:3035 with Hosszu taking second in 8:46.97. Fannie Ferenczi earned third in 8:57.34.

Verraszto posted a 32.60 to top the women's 50-meter breaststroke event on day one, while Jakabos (33.15) and Reka Pecz (33.65) picked up second and third. On day two, Verraszto topped the women's 100-meter free with a 54.98, while Jakabos took second in 55.81. Miroslava Najdanovski finished third in 56.22.

South Africa's Chad Le Clos has also decided to make an appearance at the meet. On day one, the Olympic gold medalist checked in with a winning time of 1:48.23 in the men's 200-meter free. Peter Bernek (1:48.92) and Gergo Kis (1:48.93) took second and third. Kis clinched the men's 800-meter freestyle on day one with an 8:00.21. Patrik Rakos (8:01.37) and Mark Papp (8:15.29) touched second and third.

Le Clos took home his second gold of the meet with a 51.90 to win the men's 100-meter fly. That's just off his top-five ranked season best of 51.64 from the Mare Nostrum circuit. Laszlo Cseh (52.51) and Bence Pulai (52.66) finished second and third behind the Olympic champ.

Kis took home his second title of the meet with a 3:50.76 in the men's 400-meter free, while Patrik Rakos (3:52.06) and South Africa's Myles Brown (3:55.67) went 2-3 behind him.

Daniel Gyurta tuned up in the men's 100-meter breaststroke with a 1:00.58 for the win. He's been a bit faster this year with a 1:00.12 from January. Gabor Financsek (1:01.45) and David Szele (1:02.47) completed the podium in the event.

David Foldhazi won the men's 400-meter IM with a 4:23.19 in what proved to be a close finish. Michael Meyer of South Africa (4:23.49) and David Horvath (4:23.96) also finished in the 4:23s. Richard Bohus earned the men's 50-meter back title in 25.88, while Laszlo Cseh (25.91) and Gabor Balog (26.13) completed the top three.

Peter Bernek walked away with the men's 200-meter backstroke title with a 1:57.30, while Gabor Balog (1:58.14) and Foldhazi (2:02.45) also earned medals with a 2-3 effort. Krisztian Takacs topped the men's 50-meter free in 22.37, while Bohus (23.23) and Mark Meszaros (23.48) joined him on the podium.

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