Croatian Championships: Duje Draganja, Monika Babok Finish Day One With Croatian Records

RIJEKA, Croatia, July 3. THE sprint 50 fly events featured record-breaking performances during the first day of long course meter swimming at the Croatian Championships held in Rijeka.

Duje Draganja and Mario Todorovic traded possession of the national record in the men's 50 fly throughout the day. First, Todorovic claimed the mark heading into finals with a 23.49 to 23.53 victory in semis to beat Draganja's standard of 23.55. Draganja, however, clocked a swift time of 23.36 in the finale for the win. Todorovic placed second in 23.88 with Alexei Puninski taking third in 24.01.

Monika Babok clipped the national record in the women's 50 fly with a time of 26.71. That performance beat Sanja Jovanovic's effort of 26.87 set in 2008. Zeljana Knezevic (28.41) and Iva Prugovecki (28.58) completed the top three.

In other finals action, Matea Samardzic won the women's 200 back crown in 2:17.94. Kim Daniela Pavlin (2:18.86) and Mabel Sulic (2:19.90) finished second and third. Gordan Kozulj topped the men's 200 back in 2:01.06, while Ivan Biondic (2:06.64) and Marko Krce-Rabar (2:08.81) rounded out the podium. Ivana Pijanovic won the women's 1500 free in 17:34.24 as the lone person to break 18:00 in the event.

The 800 free relays completed the evening. The team of Mia Runtas, Maja Pavlovic, Pijanovic and Babok posted a time of 8:38.16 among the women to break the national record of 8:46.07 set in 2004. Niksa Roki, Mateo Muzek, Mario Delac and Todorovic clocked a 7:32.03 to win the men's title.

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