Croatian Open Championships: Mario Todorovic Doubles On First Night, Several National Records Fall

DUBROVNIK, Croatia, July 11. MARIO Todorovic picked up a pair of wins on the first night of the Croatian Open Championships held in Dubrovnik, while several national records also took a tumble.

Anja Carman of Slovenia opened the first night of finals with a national record in the women's 200 back. She touched in 2:11.55 to break the 2002 standard of 2:12.43 set by Alenka Kejzar. Local favorite Sanja Jovanovic, who lowered the 50 fly Croatian record during earlier heats with a 26.87, took second in 2:13.15. Gordan Kozulj then beat out Ante Cvitkovic, 2:00.11 to 2:00.95, in the men's 200 back.

Karla Sitic followed in the women's 1500 free by demolishing her previous Croatian record of 17:29.95 set last month. Sitic punched the clock in 17:22.17, while her nearest challenger was Nataliya Khudyakova with an 18:11.97.

Poland's Agata Korc walked away with the women's 50 fly title in 26.28, while Croatia's Jovanovic took second in 27.07. Slovenia's Sara Isakovic pocketed third in 27.75.

The men's 50 fly witnessed a close contest between Todorovic and Brazil's Gabriel Mangabeira. Todorovic emerged triumphant with a 23.91 compared to Mangabeira's 23.99. Duje Draganja, the Croatian-record holder with a 23.62, took third in 24.02.

The 800 freestyles completed the night. Matea Peteh, Iva Grivicic, Zeljana Knezevic and Smiljana Marinovic won the women's title in 8:37.27, while Mario Delac, Niksa Roki, Vedran Bicanic and Todorovic won the men's crown in 7:37.60.

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