Italy Excelling at World Youth Championships

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, August 24. THROUGH two days of finals at the FINA World Youth Championships, the Italian contingent has proven to be formidable. During Thursday’s action, Italy received a one-two finish from Edoardo Giorgetti and Mattia Pesce in the 100-meter breaststroke. Giorgetti prevailed in 1:02.31 with Pesce touching behind in 1:02.65.

Damiano Lestingi also delivered a stellar performance for Italy as he was the winner of the 100 backstroke in convincing fashion. Lestingi clocked in at 55.74 to defeat Brazil’s Leonardo Guedes (56.43) and the United States’ Matt Thompson (57.42). The American squad also received a strong outing from Cory Chitwood, the fourth-place finisher in 57.45.

In the men’s 400 freestyle, Poland’s Mateusz Matczak notched a 1.50-second triumph over Italy’s Cesare Sciocchetti when he hit the wall in 3:54.99. Spain’s Juan Luis Rodriguez was the bronze medalist and American Tyler Clary took fourth. Ivan Lendjer captured top honors in the 100 butterfly in 54.31.

Italy capped its efforts with a gold-medal swim in the 800 free relay. The foursome of Filippo Barbacini, Manuel Vincenzi, Lestingi and Sciocchetti registered a time of 7:32.23 to beat Brazil (7:37.36) and South Africa (7:40.97). The United States quartet of Thompson, Ian Rowe, Clary and Chitwood placed fourth in 7:47.09.

China’s Wang Qun topped the competition in the 50 breaststroke with a mark of 32.21 and New Zealand’s Natalia Wiegersma won the 100 backstroke in 1:02.41. In the 800 freestyle, Romania’s Ionela Cozma distanced herself from the field with a winning effort of 8:38.91. She was followed by South Africa’s Wendy Trott (8:40.69). The United States’ Jessica Rodriguez (8:54.20) and Leah Gingrich (8:56.84) were ninth and 10th, respectively.

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World Youth Champs - Matt Thompson

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