Daiya Seto Secures Top Seed in 400 IM as Chase Kalisz Stunningly Misses Final

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World Swimming Championships (Daiya Seto)

Gwangju 2019

Day Eight Heats (Men’s 400 Individual Medley)

The 400 individual medley showdown that was expected between Japan’s Daiya Seto and American Chase Kalisz will have to wait until next summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo as Kalisz stunningly finished 10th in the prelims at the World Championships. Never looking comfortable, the three-time Worlds medalist in the event clocked a time of 4:15.62 to finish almost a half-second out of what it took to reach the final.

The meeting between Seto and Kalisz had been long awaited, thanks to Seto’s superb performances on the road to the Gwangju and Kalisz’s status as the reigning world champion. When the two clashed earlier in the week in the 200 individual medley, Seto collected the third world championship of his career, complementing his 2013 and 2015 titles in the 400 IM.

Seto upheld his end of the deal, topping the finalists with a mark of 4:12.27. Having already dipped under 4:08 this season, and with Kalisz out of the final, Seto will be the overwhelming favorite for the gold medal. In addition to his gold in the 200 medley, which secured an automatic berth to a home Olympics next year, Seto was the silver medalist in the 200 butterfly on Night Four of the meet.

When Kalisz picked up the bronze medal in the 200 medley, there were indications that he was not as sharp as he’s been in past years. Still, no one expected the University of Georgia product to miss the final of his best event. Through the years, Kalisz has routinely clocked times quicker than 4:15 during Pro Series competitions. Kalisz did not stop to speak with reporters in the mixed zone, his frustration over the result obvious.

The Netherlands’ Arjan Knipping (4:13.46) and American Jay Litherland (4:13.78) qualified second and third, with Great Britain’s Max Litchfield going 4:14.35 for fourth place. New Zealand’s Lewis Clareburt advanced to the final in 4:14.62. Litchfield, the European silver medalist last year, may be in position to take advantage of the openings behind Seto.

Knipping has an interesting story as he is not based at a national training center, but instead is a club-team member at PSV Eindhoven, where the legendary Pieter van den Hoogenband honed his craft. Knipping also has to schedule his practices around his job at a supermarket, where he stocks the shelves. Knipping typically gets in an early-morning workout, then heads to work from 9 to 2. After a brief break, he returns to training in the early evening. Knipping also dedicates his time to his one-year-old daughter, Nora.

“I became a father before the Europeans and it was really tough to leave then,” Knipping said. “Last year I worked from Monday to Thursday – Friday sometimes – and then I came home with my girlfriend and my little kid. It was really tough not seeing them a lot of times. Even during this World championships, I have to miss them two-and-a-half weeks. I think it kind of helps me. You have a reason to do it and you want to be the best for your kid, but I also want to let them see that I am a really good athlete.”

Kalisz wasn’t the only big name to be eliminated as Hungary’s David Verraszto, the silver medalist in the 400 IM at the past two World Champs, was 13th.

Finalists

1. Daiya Seto, Japan 4:12.27
2. Arjan Knipping, Netherland 4:13.46
3. Jay Litherland, United States 4:13.78
4. Max Litchfield, Great Britain 4:14.35
5. Lewis Clareburt, New Zealand 4:14.56
6. Maksym Shemberev, Azerbaijan 4:14.62
7. Joanllu Pons, Spain 4:15.14
8. Philip Heintz, Germany 4:15.24

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Michal Idešic

4 years ago

Can i ask you if someone knows why was Richard nagy from Slovakia disqaulified on 400 medley Men and the possible tíme what he could swam? Thank you ?

Brett Davies

4 years ago

Kalisz is either sick or out of shape he faded really badly at the end of his race.