Evgeny Sedov Sets 50 Fly World Junior Record to Kick Off Russian Nationals

MOSCOW, Russia, May 13. THE first night of Russian Nationals in Moscow featured some scintillating swims, but none more impressive than Evgeny Sedov’s World Junior Record in the men’s 50-meter fly.

Sedov, the Russian speedster, took home the men’s 50-meter fly title in 23.28. That swim clipped the 23.30 he used to lead the way in semis, but still had him standing ninth in the SwimVortex world rankings. His time nearly took down Evgeny Korotyshkin’s Russian record of 23.24 from the 2009 World Championships. Nikita Konovalov finished second in 23.45 after not replicating his 10th-ranked semifinal swim of 23.42. Evgeny Koptelov picked up third in 23.92, while Korotyshkin finished fourth in 24.00.

Sedov’s time in semis of 23.30 had been the World Junior Record before he clipped another two tenths off it during finals.

Yana Martynova earned the first Russian title of the night with a 4:42.00 in the women’s 400-meter IM, while Victoria Malyutina placed a distant second in 4:44.59. Ranohon Haman of Uzbekistan checked in with a third-place 4:46.56.

Yevgeny Kulikov cruised to victory in the men’s 400-meter freestyle finale tonight with a 3:51.39, while Alexander Fedorov placed a close second in 3:51.95. The two battled throughout the swim, but Fedorov never could make a significant run to chase down Kulikov. Dimitri Ermakov placed third overall in 3:52.98.

Anna Belusova tracked down the women’s 50-meter breaststroke title in 31.48 after posting a 31.78 in semis. Russia is currently looking for a new top female breaststroker with newly-banned Yuliya Efimova on the sidelines for the next year. Belusova’s time is no where close to the 29s and 30s that Efimova is capable of producing. Efimova, however, will be back next March to focus on swimming at the Kazan World Championships.

Daria Deeva touched second in the 50-meter breast in 31.92 with Valentina Artemyeva placing third in 31.89.

Elizabeth Gorshkova won the women’s 800-meter free in 8:42.15 with Anastasia Ivanenko taking second in 8:47.30. Arina Openysheva wound up third in 8:53.23.

In relay action, the St. Petersburg foursome of Evgeny Lagunov (50.06), Oleg Tikobaev (48.52), Alexander Sukhorukov (48.48) and Andresenko Vyacheslav (50.20) won the men’s 400-meter free relay in 3:17.26. St. Petersburg won again in the women’s 400-meter free relay as Veronika Popova (54.49), Anna Zaitseva (56.54), Xenia Kozyukov (57.46) and Daria Ustinova (55.09) turned in a 3:43.58 for the win.

During semifinal action, Belusova topped qualifying in the women’s 50-meter breaststroke with a 31.78.

Sedov raced his way to a 23.30 in the men’s 50-meter fly semis. That initially moved him to ninth in the world. Konovalov (23.42) finished second to take 10th in the rankings, while Alexander Popov cracked the top 20 with a 23.85 for 17th in the world.

Kirill Strelnikov popped a 2:11.74 in the men’s 200-meter breast semis to move just outside the top 20 in the world. Svetlana Chimrova placed second in the women’s 200-meter fly with a 2:14.15, while Martynova doubled off her 400 IM win to place second in the 200 fly with a 2:14.43.

Veronika Popova jumped to 18th in the world rankings in the women’s 100-meter free with a 54.34, before Nikita Ulyanov topped the men’s 100-meter back semis with a 54.49. Daria Ustinova then blasted a 2:09.02 in the women’s 200-meter back semis, moving to fifth in the world rankings in the event.

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