Katinka Hosszu Smokes 400 IM World Record in Rio

katinka-hosszu-happy-400-im-prelims-2016-rio-olympics

Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

Katinka Hosszu flirted with the world record this morning in the 400 IM. She was well ahead of it again tonight and held on through the freestyle. Hosszu touched in a final time of 4:26.36. The old mark was a 4:28.43 swum in 2012.

American Maya DiRado also turned ahead of world record pace at the 300 meter mark and finished second in 4:31.15. That time was just three one-hundredths off Katie Hoff’s American record of 4:31.12.

DiRado knew that she would not be catching Hosszu, but it was evident that a special swim was brewing.

“I knew Katinka was very far ahead, and I could see her when I turned for freestyle. I could tell I was ahead of the rest of the field,” DiRado said. “[Stanford coach] Greg [Meehan] just wanted me to have fun, enjoy the moment that we never thought was going to happen.”

Spain’s Mireia Belmonte Garcia held off Great Britain’s Hannah Miley for the bronze. Belomnte Garcia touched in 4:32.39 to Miley’s 4:32.54.

Emily Overholt of Canada finished fifth with a 4:34.70.

2012 silver medalist Elizabeth Beisel of the United States wound up sixth in 4:34.98. Aimee Willmott of Great Britain snagged seventh in 4:35.04.

Japan’s Sakiko Shimizu was eighth with a 4:38.06.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

6 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Dan Slick

7 years ago

Pretty understated. She obliterated a record no one thought could be reached any time soon. This is gauntlet down to all others for greatest swimmer in the world.

Jake Blues

7 years ago

Reply to Dan Slick

SW is at odds with Katinka, there may even be a lawsuit against the magazine for publishing an article in which she was falsely charged with doping. I’m surprised they mentioned her at all, ha-ha. The greatest world record of the races so far and it is already on the second page instead of the front…

Hagar

7 years ago

Suspicious at best. Who can forget Ye Shiwen in 2012?

7 years ago

Reply to Hagar

She was well-forgotten in her dreadful swim in the heats.

Dan Slick

7 years ago

Reply to Hagar

I am no more suspicious of her than I am of Ladecky, Phelps, or Sjostrom. She’s been swimming great for a while now. While amazing it is not surprising.

Jeff

7 years ago

Any chance SW could give us her splits for this race vs. Ye’s WR?
Thanks.