European Championships: Margherita Panziera Wins Third Straight 200 Back Title At Raucous Foro Italico

Margherita Panziera: Photo Courtesy: LEN

European Championships: Margherita Panziera Wins Third Straight 200 Back Title At Raucous Foro Italico

Margherita Panziera won her third straight 200m backstroke title on her 27^th birthday at the European Championships in Rome.

Panziera booked lane four after going 2:08.18 in the semis, the only woman inside 2:09 at the Foro Italico.

The Italian was given a rapturous reception, the roars growing ever louder as she led from start to finish and reached a crescendo as she stopped the clock at 2:07.13.

Splits: 30.39/1:02.17 (31.78)/1:34.82 (32.65)/32.31

Katie Shanahan of Britain added European silver to Commonwealth bronze in her debut senior season in 2:09.26.

Dora Molnar – the 16-year-old Hungarian – won bronze in 2:09.73.

Panziera said:

“I’m very excited and happy and super satisfied as this my third European gold in a row.

“I could hear the crowd cheering, it was great, it’s a wonderful feeling to race here, at home in this pool.

“I’m not too satisfied with my time but for this stage of the season it’s okay.”

Shanahan won 200 back silver among a six-medal haul in this very pool at the 2021 European juniors.

She turned 18 a couple of months ago and has already been to the podium at her two major long-course meets in her maiden senior season, with two bronzes at the Commonwealths and now continental silver.

The Scot was in a state of shock, saying:

“I can’t believe it, I’m so happy, I did not expect to win a medal at all.

“I only came here to make the final but I really never thought about a medal.

“I just came back from the Commonwealth Games where I won two bronzes so I’m really happy to keep this momentum going.”

Molnar – who won the 100-200 back double at the European juniors in Bucharest – said:

“I was all pain towards the end: yesterday’s morning swim was the most pleasant if I can say that.

“I felt I was dying over the last metres but was also aware of the fight, so I pushed as hard as possible to get a medal.

“I really wanted that, I knew I had a chance and I’m happy that I could claim it.

“Yeah, we can say that this summer looks fine after my medals at the junior Europeans.”

Results:

Margherita Panziera (ITA); 2:07.13
Katie Shanahan (GBR); 2:09.26
Dora Molnar (HUN); 2:09.73
Eszter Szabo Feltothy (HUN); 2:10.23
Camila Rodrigues Rebelo (POR); 2:11.03
Africa Zamorano (ESP); 2:11.11
Laura Bernat (POL); 2:11.14
Lena Grabowski (AUT); 2:11.23

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