Jordan Wilimovsky, Zane Grothe Lead USA 1-2 in Men’s 1500

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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The United States has not been a historically great nation in the men’s 1500, but on the first night of the 2018 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Tokyo, the Americans had three swimmers break 14:50 in the men’s 1500. Jordan Wilimovsky won the battle of attrition with fellow American Robert Finke and pre-race favorite Jack McLoughlin of Australia.

Wilimovsky grinded his way to a gold medal at 14:46.93. Finke finished in second in the final with a 14:48.70, but it was not fast enough to surpass Zane Grothe, who swam a 14:48.40 in the earlier heats. Grothe will end up with the silver medal and McLoughlin (14:55.92) will get the bronze medal. It is the first time Grothe has broken 15 minutes in the event.

This is the first time in quite a while that the United States had three swimmers break 14:50 in the men’s 1500. It is the first time since 2008 when Peter Vanderkaay (14:45.54), Larsen Jensen (14:48.16) and Erik Vendt (14:46.78) were the stars of distance swimming.

Wilimovsky moved up to fourth in the world rankings with his time as Germany’s Florian Wellbrock is still on top with his 14:36.15 from European Championships earlier this week.

Grothe is now sixth in the world rankings while Finke is eighth.

Brazil’s Guilherme Costa (15:03.40), Japan’s Shogo Takeda (15:05.81), Canada’s Eric Hedlin (15:07.18), Japan’s Kohei Yamamota (15:18.71) and Canada’s Peter Brothers (15:41.63) also competed in the night heat.

American Michael Brinegar was also faster this morning with his 15:07.04 in the earlier heats.

2018 World Rankings:

Florian Wellbrock, GER, 14:36.15
Mykhailo Romanchuk, UKR, 14:36.88
Gregorio Paltrinieri, ITA, 14:42.85
Jordan Wilimovsky, USA, 14:46.93
Jack McLoughlin, AUS, 14:47.09
Zane Grothe, USA, 14:48.40
Daniel Jervis, GBR, 14:48.67
Robert Finke, USA, 14:48.70

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Thomas A. Small

5 years ago

Congratulations guys