Spanish Open National Championships: Aschwin Wildeboer, Mireia Belmonte Garcia Post Second-Bests in World

MALAGA, Spain, March 29. THE Spanish Open National Championships commenced with a handful of world ranked efforts from Malaga, Spain.

Aschwin Wildeboer raced to victory in the men's 50-meter back with a 24.91. That swim put him behind only Camille Lacourt (24.81) for the top sprint backstroke time in the world this year. Juan Miguel Rando Galvez placed second in 25.40 to move to 11th in the world rankings, while Oscar Pereiro Capril took third in 25.55 for 19th in the world.

Mireia Belmonte Garcia checked in with a second-ranked time of her own with an 8:25.55 in the women's 800-meter free. Only Rebecca Adlington (8:18.54) has been faster this year with her time at British Trials. Erika Villaecija Garcia took second in 8:27.76 for fifth in the world, while Melanie Costa Schmid touched third in 8:#0.96.

Concepcion Badillo Diaz turned in a 1:07.97 in the women's 100-meter breast, downing the meet record of 1:08.09 set by Chiara Boggiatto in 2009. She also moved up to eighth in the world rankings with the effort. Marina Garcia Urzainqui placed second in 1:08.15 for 11th in the world, while Evelyn Alvarez Perez touched third in 1:10.60.

Aliaksandra Herasimenia lowered the meet record in the women's 50-meter free with a 24.90. That swim cleared the 25.09 set by Marleen Veldhuis back in 2005, and moved her to 14th in the world rankings. Sviatlana Khaklova placed second in 25.60, while Maria Fuster Martinez earned third in 25.94.

Konrad Czerniak posted a 22.47 to win the men's 50-meter free, while Rafael Munoz Perez touched second in 22.69. Carlos Van Isschot Barber posted a 22.95 for third-place honors. Antonio Arroyo Perez won the men's 1500-meter free in 15:18.72, while Sveinn McKee Anton (15:30.32) and Marc Sanchez Torrens (15:33.56) earned second and third.

Mercedes Peris Minguet clocked a 28.60 in prelims of the women's 50-meter back, just short of her 11th-ranked season best of 28.50 from January. She returned in the finale to win in 28.63. Kiera Aitken placed second in 29.31, while Ane Saseta Estebanez wound up third in 29.37.

Johann Sveinsson won the men's 100-meter breast in 1:02.47, while Fernando Morillas Ramos took second in 1:03.13. Taki Mrabet rounded out the top three in 1:03.36.

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