FINA World Championships Predictions: Men’s 200 Fly

Photo Courtesy: R-Sport / Mia Rossiya Segodnaya

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Michael Phelps’ win in the men’s 200 fly at last year’s Olympics might have been his most memorable race of the Rio Games, but he is retired and out of the field for this year’s FINA World Championships.

In his absence, the Hungarian crowd in Budapest will get behind its two hometown favorites defending World and European champion Laszlo Cseh and Olympic bronze medalist Tamas Kenderesi both in the field, while Masato Sakai just missed out on Olympic gold last summer, coming up just four hundredths short of Phelps.

In fact, Hungary is so deep in the men’s 200 fly that the No. 2-ranked swimmer in the world, European Junior Champion Kristof Milak (1:53.79), won’t even race the event in Budapest.

Then there’s Chad Le Clos, the 2012 Olympic champion in the 200 fly. He won two silver medals in Rio, but neither came in the event he still considers his best. Any of these four men could win gold, and it would not be the least bit surprising.

Read below to see what Swimming World’s trio of experts think will happen in Budapest. David Rieder, John Lohn and Andy Ross will each offer their predictions for who will finish on the podium.

Men’s 200 Fly

Current Records:

World Record: Michael Phelps, USA (2009) — 1:51.51
Championship Record: Michael Phelps, USA (2009) — 1:51.51
American Record: Michael Phelps (2009) — 1:51.51

2015 World Champion: Laszlo Cseh, HUN — 1:53.48
2016 Olympic Gold Medalist: Michael Phelps, USA — 1:53.36
2017 World No. 1: Masato Sakai, JPN — 1:53.71

Swimming World Predictions

David Rieder’s Picks:

Gold: Tamas Kenderesi, HUN
Silver: Chad le Clos, RSA
Bronze: Masato Sakai, JPN

John Lohn’s Picks:

Gold: Chad le Clos, RSA
Silver: Tamas Kenderesi, HUN
Bronze: Masato Sakai, JPN

Andy Ross’ Picks:

Gold: Masato Sakai, JPN
Silver: Tamas Kenderesi, HUN
Bronze: Chad le Clos, RSA

Previous Events

Day One:

Day Two:

Day Three:

Day Four:

Women’s 200 Free

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8 Comments

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Shaheen Alghofari

6 years ago

This is tough so unpredictable Joe Stott I think some random our of nowhere guy will win le clos silver

Janice Ng

6 years ago

Schooling may be a surprise medallist in this event.

Brownish

6 years ago

Reply to Janice Ng

He would be happy for swimming in the final.

Todd Erickson

6 years ago

Reply to Janice Ng

Unless he only swims one event, the 100 Fly, so he can retribution on a tired Caleb Dressel.

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David Rieder - Senior Writer

6 years ago

Reply to Todd Erickson

Schooling could definitely surprise. Word on the street is he’s in much better shape than he was during college season, and he will swim the 200 fly this year.

Pete Fitzpatrick

6 years ago

certainly a unique event in swimminmg

Alan Corby

6 years ago

Cillian Melly

6 years ago

Reply to Alan Corby

17 year old will school them