Katinka Hosszu Flirts With New 400 IM World Record In Prelims of 2016 Rio Olympic Games

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Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

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Women’s 400 IM:

The “Iron Lady” of Hungary, Katinka Hosszu, kickstarted her third Olympic run with a dominant showing in the women’s 400 IM. Hosszu jumped out to an immediate lead in the final heat of prelims and never looked back, quickly bypassing the World Record line to show the world that she means business. At the turn from the breaststroke to the freestyle, Hosszu was more than three seconds ahead of World Record pace but was unable to replicate 2012 champion Ye Shiwen’s freestyle split of 58.58.

Hosszu stopped the clock at a final 4:28.58, finishing just shy of Ye’s 4:28.43 World Record.

Picking up the second place seed for tonight’s final was Mireia Garcia Belmonte of Spain from the same heat. Belmonte stopped the clock at a 4:32.75.

Maya DiRado of the USA battled Great Britain’s Aimee Wilmott throughout heat three, edging her out in the final 25-meters. DiRado posted a 4:33.50 for the third place seed, while Wilmott’s time of 4:33.08 earned her fifth.

DiRado told the media, “I felt really good. I’ve never been that fast in prelims. I’ve never been that fast in the first race of the meet…The energy back there in that USA Section is super high. Watching Chase start off with a best time in prelims was amazing.”

Grabbing the fourth place seed was teammate to Wilmott, Hannah Miley (4:33.74). This is Miley’s third Olympic Games pursuing a medal in the 400 IM, as she just missed the podium in 2012 with a fourth place showing.

2012 Silver Medalist Elizabeth Beisel turned in a time of 4:34.38 to earn the sixth place seed, just ahead of Japan’s Sakiko Shimizu (4:34.66).

Beisel shared, “I’m just so happy to make the final. Hopefully I’ll be faster tonight. This meet is just about having fun for me and I’m having an absolute blast.”

Canada’s Emily Overholt completes the top eight qualifiers with a 4:36.54.

Reigning Olympic Champion, Ye Shiwen, will not have a chance to defend her gold medal after a 27th place finish in prelims.

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