Maria Lenk Trophy: Cesar Cielo Posts World-Leading 50 Free, Kirsty Coventry and Ous Mellouli Set Meet Records In First Finals Session

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, May 3. THE first finals session kicked off with the fastest 50 freestyle in the world and a meet record at the Maria Lenk Trophy being held in Rio de Janeiro. The meet is taking place in long course meters format.

Cesar Cielo helped the Club de Regatas Flamengo win the men's 200 freestyle relay with a scorching 21.73 leadoff leg. The time puts Cielo at the top of the world rankings, ahead of Fred Bousquet's 21.82 from March. Along with Alain Bernard's 21.98, three men have cracked the 22-second barrier in 2011. The relay team, which also included Ramom Melo, Henrique Rodrigues and Nicholas Dos Santos won the event in 1:28.33.

Kirsty Coventry dominated in the women's 200 backstroke final with a meet record time of 2:08.41. Coventry now sits sixth in the world with that swim. Fabiola Molina took second with a 2:14.52, while Duane Marce placed third in 2:16.04.

Ous Mellouli set a meet record in the men's 1500 free with a winning time of 15:08.22. He's been faster this year with a fourth-ranked time of 15:01.65. Luiz Arapiraca touched second in 15:12.69, while Lucas Kanieski wound up third in 15:21.05.

Rebecca Soni cruised to victory in the women's 200 breast with a top time of 2:26.83. Her best time this year far surpasses her swim today as she owns the top-ranked time in the world with a 2:23.27 from February. Thamy Ventorin took second in 2:35.58, while Michele Schmidt placed third in 2:37.31.

Thiago Pereira won the men's 200 breast in 2:10.79, moving to seventh in the world rankings. Tales Cerdeira finished second in 2:11.86, while Henrique Barbosa picked up third in 2:12.18. Pereira would return to win the 200 backstroke with a 1:58.25, which puts him 10th in the world. Second place went to Leonardo de Deus with a 1:59.75 and third went to Leonardo Fim with a 1:59.99.

Mireia Belmonte claimed the women's 800 free crown in 8:40.77. Her fastest time this year is a ninth-ranked effort of 8:27.88 from last month. Poliana Okimoto earned second in 8:41.99, while Ana Marcela Da Cunha grabbed third in 8:48.55.

Jessica Hardy led the way into semis in the women's 50 free with a 25.71, while Bruno Fratus hit the wall in 22.08 in the men's 50 free prelims to rank sixth in the world. Cesar Cielo qualified second into semis with a 22.25.

Flavia Delaroli-Cazziolato, Michelle Lenhardt, Carolina Bergamaschi and Tatiana Barbosa claimed the women's 200 free relay in 1:41.84.

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