Kliment Kolesnikov On Chase For Backstroke World Records at World Cup in Kazan

Jul 25, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Kliment Kolesnikov (ROC) in the men's 100m backstroke heats during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Kliment Kolesnikov On Chase For Backstroke World Records at World Cup in Kazan

With the FINA World Cup taking place in Kazan from Thursday through Saturday, Russia’s Kliment Kolesnikov is scheduled to race on home soil and will join Australia’s Kyle Chalmers in pursuit of a short-course world record. While Chalmers is expected to threaten the global standard in the 100-meter freestyle, Kolesnikov will chase world marks in the backstroke events.

A multi-event medalist at last summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Kolesnikov set a long-course world record in the 50 backstroke earlier in 2021. Now, he’ll track short-course records. The 50 backstroke mark stands at 22.22, set in 2014 by Frenchman Florent Manaudou. Meanwhile, the 100 backstroke record sits at 48.33, set by American Coleman Stewart during International Swimming League (ISL) competition in August. Stewart took down Kolesnikov’s prior world record of 48.58.

Kolesnikov is expected to be part of some intriguing battles outside of the backstroke events. In addition to racing rising South African star Matthew Sates in the 100 individual medley, the Russian will duel with countryman Vladimir Morozov and Chalmers in the 100 freestyle. In Doha last week, Chalmers clocked 45.03 to finish just .09 off the world record in the 100 free.

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