Kozulj Equals World Record at Berlin World Cup

BERLIN, Jan. 21. CROATIA's Gordan Kozulj equalled a world record while Britain's Mark Foster set a European record to highlight competition on the second, and final, day of competition at World Cup VIII in Berlin, Germany.

Kozulj, who yesterday set the European record in the 100m backstroke (52.24) today stroked the 200 meters backstroke in 1:51.62, tying the world short course record set by Australia's Matt Welch last October. The time also broke the European record of 1:52.51 set by Spain's Martin Lopez-Zubero in April 1991.

Kozulj, who became the first Croat to set a world record in swimming, earned a $30,000 bonus for the record, giving him a total of $35,470, plus a Rover car worth $24,000 for his performances.

Kozulj said he thought he had a chance to set the world record after breaking the European record in the 100 meter backstroke on Saturday. "I was definitely keeping an eye on this wonderful car," he said of the silver Rover that had been parked on the deck at the Berlin pool during the two-day event. "After everything went so well on Saturday, I thought anything was possible."

Meanwhile, British veteran Mark Foster, who announced beforehand that he would attempt to break the world record in the 50 meter freestyle, fell a scant three-hundredths of a second short of Anthony Ervin's 21.21 set at the NCAA Championships last March. Foster's 21.24 second effort broke the European mark of 21.31 Foster set in December 1998.

"What a pity," said Foster, who had passed up a chance to set the world record at a World Cup meet in Sheffield last week, in the hope of winning the car in Berlin. "Maybe I should have gone for it in Sheffield after all. It's my favorite pool."

Still, Foster was delighted after defeating Russia's Alex Popov and the USA's Jason Lezak. He said he may attempt to break the world record in Paris or Stockholm, the final legs on the ten-venue World Cup tour.

In other men's events, Australia's Michael Klim, the long course WR-holder, won the 100m fly in a strong 51.31 seconds. Germany's Thomas Rupprath, who won the 200 meters yesterday, was second in 51.66.

Germany's Michael Fisher won a very tight 100 meter breaststroke race in 59.46, edging Arseni Maliarov (59.53)and Morgan Knabe (Canadian record 59.68).

Another Germany, Jirka Letzin, took the 200m IM in 1:58.13, out-touching teammate Christian Keller (1:58.21) and Australia's Grant McGregor (1:58.34).

Andrei Kapralov of Russia won the 200m free in 1:45.19.

Sweden's Therese Alshammar and Slovakia's Martina Moravcova were both double winners today. The Swede, who holds the short-course world marks in the 50 and 100 freestyle and who won the 50 yesterday, breezed to victory today in both the 100 free (53.78)and 50 fly (26.06).

Moravcova won the 100m IM in 1:00.92, then tied with Germany's Daniela Samulski for gold in the 100m back (1:00.53)in a race in which a scant one-hundredth of a second separated the top three swimmers. Strangely, it was one of two races today in which there was a tie for first place.

Moravcova is the most successful swimmer on the 2000-2001 World Cup tour with 27 gold medals and 5 silver medals in 32 races.

In the second tie, Japan's Fumiko Kawanabe and Australia's Brooke Hanson hit the wall simultaneously in the 200m breaststroke, both clocking 2:24.82. For Hanson, it was another personal best time. She also won the 50 breast in a swift 31.11.

The Aussie had considered retiring after she failed to make the Aussie Olympic team last May. Since then she has consistently improved her times and his consistently won on the World Cup tour.

France's Solenne Figues won a very fast 400m free in 4:06.36, just defeating Australia's Elka Graham at 4:06.70.

Australia took one-two-three in the 400m IM, with Jennifer Reilly touching first in 4:46.56, ahead of Lori Munz in 4:39.85 and Megan McMahon in 4:40.14.

Denmark's Mette Jacobsen easily won the 200m fly in 2:07.69.

RESULTS

Women's 100 meter freestyle
1. Therese Alshammar (SWE) 53.78
2. Petra Dallmann (GER) 55.07
3. Lori Munz (AUS) 55.17

Men's 200 meter freestyle
1. Andrei Kapralov (RUS) 1:45.19
2. Todd Pearson (AUS) 1:45.69
3. Jose Meolans (ARG) 1:45.85

Women's 50 meter breaststroke
1. Brooke Hanson (AUS) 31.11
2. Janne Schaefer (GER) 31.52
3. Sara Poewe (SAF) 31.55

Men's 100 meter breaststroke
1. Michael Fischer (GER) 59.46
2. Arseni Maliarov (RUS) 59.53
3. Morgan Knabe (CAN) 59.68

Men's 100 meter butterfly
1. Michael Klim (AUS) 51.31
2. Thomas Rupprath (GER) 51.66
3. Adam Pine (AUS) 51.84

Women's 400 meter individual medley
1. Jennifer Reilly (AUS) 4:36.56
2. Lori Munz (AUS) 4:39.85
3. Megan McMahon (AUS) 4:40.14

Women's 100 meter backstroke
1. Martina Moravcova (SVK) 1:00.53
1. Daniela Samulski (GER) 1:00.53
3. Clementine Stoney (AUS) 1:00.54

Men's 50 meter backstroke
1. Darius Grigalionis (LTU) 24.36
2. Ante Maskovic (CRO) 24.51
3. Stev Theloke (GER) 24.66

Women's 200 meter butterfly
1. Mette Jacobsen (DEN) 2:07.69
2. Mandy Loots (SAF) 2:09.64
3. Otylia Jedrzejczak (POL) 2:10.18

Men's 200 meter individual medley
1. Jirka Letzin (GER) 1:58.13
2. Christian Keller (GER) 1:58.21
3. Grant McGregor (AUS) 1:58.34

Women's 400 meter freestyle
1. Solenne Figues (FRA) 4:06.36
2. Elka Graham (AUS) 4:06.70
3. Irina Oufimtseva (RUS) 4:08.92

Men's 50 meter freestyle
1. Mark Foster (GBR) 21.24 Euro.rec.
2. Alexander Popov (RUS) 21.57
3. Jason Lezak (USA) 21.68

Women's 200 meter breaststroke
1. Fumiko Kawanabe (JPN) 2:24.82
1. Brooke Hanson (AUS) 2:24.82
3. Vipa Bernhardt (GER) 2:27.55

Women's 100 meter individual medley
1. Martina Moravcova (SVK) 1:00.92
2. Hanna-Maria Seppala (FIN) 1:01.74
3. Marianne Limpert (CAN) 1:02.22

Men's 200 meter backstroke
1. Gordan Kozulj (CRO) 1:51.62 Ties WR
2. Evgueni Alechine (RUS) 1:54.37
3. Blaz Medvesek (SLO) 1:55.82

Women's 50 meter butterfly
1. Therese Alshammar (SWE) 26.06
2. Karen Campbell (USA) 27.04
3. Karen Egdal (DEN) 27.21

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x