3 Top Athletes To Watch At FINA World Cup in Hong Kong

Photo by Griffin Scott

Commentary by Jeff Commings

PHOENIX, Arizona, September 24. THE FINA World Cup rolls back into action Monday in Hong Kong, where several of the world’s best swimmers will be looking to add to their bank accounts and gain some crucial racing experience in the fall season.

FINA WORLD CUP MONEY LIST

Though the official start lists are not yet available, some top athletes have already announced publicly that they’re attending the two-day meet. They are among this list that I believe will do something great next week.

Katinka Hosszu

Photo Courtesy: Qatar Swimming

Naturally, the Iron Lady is one to watch. She’s already earned a six-figure income from just two meets on the circuit. Setting five world records in the individual medleys doesn’t hurt, and she swims in as many events as she can to boost her payday. Hosszu will have had a month of training since the last meet in Dubai, more than enough time to work on the small details she’ll need to chase after those world records again and obliterate the competition.

Tom Shields

Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr

After chasing Chad Le Clos’ world record in the 200 butterfly at the last two meets, Tom Shields believes he knows what it will take to get under the 1:48.56 needed to call himself the best in history – and nab a cool $10,000 bonus for the effort. In Doha, Shields went out too fast but still broke his American record with a 1:50.08. In Dubai, he tried slowing down his pace, but didn’t rally well enough to challenge Le Clos’ record. Will he get it just right in Hong Kong?

Chad Le Clos

Photo Courtesy: Qatar Swimming

Le Clos might give Shields the extra motivation in the 200 butterfly, which means we might see two swimmers under the existing world record. Le Clos skipped out on the 200 fly at the last two meets, but I hope he’s got the desire to step up next to Shields and defend his record. No matter the result, it would be a great race to watch. If Le Clos stays away from the 200 fly in Hong Kong, there’s still the 100 fly. Le Clos almost broke Evgeny Korotyshkin’s world record of 48.48 with a 48.59 in Dubai. Shields will be in the hunt as well, setting up for another great matchup.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Elizabeth Beisel will be competing in the World Cup meet in Hong Kong.

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