Fabio Scozzoli Blazes to Win in 100 Breast At Italian Nationals, Breaks 1:00

RICCIONE, Italy, April 10. MATTEO Rivolta broke the Italian national record in the men's 100 butterfly not once but twice today at the country's national championships, whiel Fabio Scozzoli posted a quick time to win the 100 breaststroke.

Rivolta, who had a best time of 52.40 in the event from last year's European championships, blazed through today's heats with a 52.06, breaking Joseph Natullo's Italian record of 52.14 from 2009. In finals, he blasted through the 52-second barrier, winning with a 51.70. The time could potentially be a top-eight finish at the world championships, based on results from the 2011 meet. Piero Codia placed second today with a 52.74, while Tommaso Romani was third with a 53.24.

Fabio Scozzoli, the reigning world championship silver medalist in the 100 breast, posted the second sub-1:00 swim of 2013 today with a winning time of 59.77. Scozzoli posted a 59.42 to win that world championship silver medal. The time ranks second in the world behind Olympic silver medalist Christian Sprenger's 59.75 from January. Mattia Pesce, who won yesterday's 50 breaststroke, placed second with a 1:00.37. Andrea Toniato was third with a 1:00.80.

Silvia di Pietro won the women's 50 butterfly to start the session with a 26.75, well off her national record of 25.84 that was set in 2009. Ilaria Bianchi made it a race to finish, settling for second with a 26.84. Elena Gemo completed the podium with a third-place time of 27.07.

Giulia de Ascentis won a very close 200 breaststroke final, winning with a 2:28. 16 and just missing the automatic qualifying time of 2:27.88 for world championships. Lisa Fissneider had a strong second 100 meters, chasing de Ascentis to the finish but coming up short with a 2:28.17. Elisa Celli had led the race for 150 meters but faded to third with a 2:28.22.

Federico Turrini set a meet record in the men's 400 IM with a 4:11.55, breaking Luca Marin's mark of 4:11.67. Marin, a finalist in this event at the 2012 Olympics and a two-time world championship medalist, placed second with a 4:15.17. Both swimmers surpassed the automatic qualifying time for this summer's world championships. Francesco Pavone was third with a 4:18.60.

Martina Caramignoli won the women's 1500 freestyle with a 16:17.48 with consistent 1:05-mid splitting. Aurora Ponsele was second with a 16:27.04 and Linda Caponi finished third with a 16:36.06.

Alice Mizzau took the women's 100 free with a 55.14, with Erika Ferraioli second with a 55.32 and di Pietro third in 55.76.

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