FINA World Championships Predictions: Men’s 200 IM

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How long has it been since anybody besides Michael Phelps or Ryan Lochte won gold at an Olympics or FINA World Championships in the men’s 200 IM? Well, Phelps has won four straight Olympic golds, Lochte has captured four straight World titles, and Phelps won the three World titles before that.

So it’s been since the 2001 World Championships that another man won a major international title in the 200 IM. But that duo’s streak will come to an end in Budapest with neither in attendance. And the man most likely to take over is the man who succeeded Phelps and Lochte as Olympic gold medalist in the 400 IM, Kosuke Hagino.

Hagino was the silver medalist behind Phelps in the 200 IM in Rio and also took second behind Lochte at the World Champs in 2013 before missing the 2015 Worlds with an elbow injury. His main challenges should come from World No. 1-ranked swimmer Philip Heintz, 200 IM Olympic bronze medalist Wang Shun and 400 IM Olympic silver medalist Chase Kalisz.

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 IM

Current Records:

World Record: Ryan Lochte, USA (2011) — 1:54.00
Championship Record: Ryan Lochte, USA (2011) — 1:54.00
American Record: Ryan Lochte (2011) — 1:54.00

2015 World Champion: Ryan Lochte, USA — 1:55.81
2016 Olympic Gold Medalist: Michael Phelps, USA — 1:54.66
2017 World No. 1: Philip Heintz, GER — 1:55.76

Swimming World Predictions

David Rieder’s Picks:

Gold: Kosuke Hagino, JPN
Silver: Wang Shun, CHN
Bronze: Chase Kalisz, USA

John Lohn’s Picks:

Gold: Kosuke Hagino, JPN
Silver: Chase Kalisz, USA
Bronze: Wang Shun, CHN

Andy Ross’ Picks:

Gold: Kosuke Hagino, JPN
Silver: Wang Shun, CHN
Bronze: Chase Kalisz, USA

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Brett Davies

6 years ago

I think that Kalisz has a very good chance at gold here and the second American also had z very quick swim in the trials so I beg to differ with you guys on your choice as medalists.