Caeleb Dressel Headlines Qualifiers for Semifinals of 50 Freestyle; Keeps Potential Triple in Play

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World Swimming Championships (Caeleb Dressel)

Gwangju 2019

Day Six Heats (Men’s 50 Freestyle)

Two years ago, Caeleb Dressel pulled off a spectacular triple at the World Champs in Budapest, winning gold medals in the 100 butterfly, 50 freestyle and as a member of the American mixed freestyle relay. Well, it looks like a repeat of that trifecta is very much in play, as Dressel – not long after topping prelims in the 100 butterfly – was the quickest qualifier in the 50 free. Despite easing off the gas down the stretch, Dressel clocked a time of 21.49, two tenths clear of the 21.69 delivered by Great Britain’s Ben Proud. Dressel has seemingly gotten better with each swim and the American is carrying a great deal of confidence to the blocks.

Coming off a gold medal and textile record in the 100 freestyle, Dressel seems poised to chase the world record in the 50 free, which has stood to Brazil’s Cesar Cielo at 20.91 since the last year of shiny suits in 2009. Dressel is the reinging world champion in the event and owns a personal best of 21.15. Russia’s Vladimir Morozov (21.70) and Brazil’s Bruno Fratus (21.71), veterans of sprint duels, earned the third and fourth seeds for the semifinals, with Japan’s Shinri Shioura (21.78) taking fifth.

Greece’s Kristian Gkolomeev (21.80) and American Michael Andrew (21.82) advanced in sixth and seventh while Aussie Cameron McEvoy (21.93) and Poland’s Pawe Juraszek (21.97) also dipped under the 22-second barrier.

Taipei’s Wu Chun-Feng and China’s Yu Hexin posted identical times of 22.21 to tie for 16th, necessitating a swimoff for the last berth to the semifinals. Yu won the head-to-head race in 22.08 to advance.

Semifinalists

1. Caeleb Dressel, United States 21.49
2. Ben Proud, Great Britain 21.69
3. Vladimir Morozov, Russia 21.70
4. Bruno Fratus, Brazil 21.71
5. Shinri Shioura, Japan 21.78
6. Kristian Gkolomeev, Greece 21.80
7. Michael Andrew, United States 21.82
8. Cameron McEvoy, Australia 21.93
9. Pawe Juraszek, Poland 21.97
10. Marcelo Chierighini, Brazil 22.03
11. Ali Khalafalla, Egypt 22.04
12. Meiron Cheruti, Israel 22.06
13. Maxim Lobanovskij, Hungary 22.11
14. Maxime Grousset, France 22.12
15. Jesse Putz, Netherlands 22.16
16. Wu Chun-Feng, Taipei 22.21
16. Yu Hexin, China 22.21

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Anonymous

6 years ago

Go Ali go??

Thomas A. Small

6 years ago

Congratulations