Split Time for the 400 IM is sponsored by LumaLanes.
Katinka Hosszu won the 400 IM final ahead of the second fastest swimmer in history, Ye Shiwen of China. Ye was able to make the podium for the first time at a major meet in this event for the first time since she broke the world record in 2012 at the London Olympic Games. Ye was second at 4:32.07 as she ran down Japan’s Yui Ohashi (4:32.33).
Canada’s Sydney Pickrem (4:36.72) and Emily Overholt (4:37.52) had slightly off swims as they added from their best times. USA’s Ally McHugh, swimming in her first World Championships final, placed sixth at 4:38.34. Hungary’s Zsuzsanna Jakabos (4:39.15) and France’s Fantine Lesaffre (4:39.68) also swam in the final.
Let’s Analyze Those 400 IM Race Splits
A well balanced 400 IM usually has the first 100 and last 100 split fairly close in time. The difference between the backstroke and breaststroke is traditionally about 8 seconds apart. So based on these standards, any split outside of these norms indicates a stronger leg than others on the spectrum.
100 Splits in 400 IM
Hozzsu’s splits were Fly 101.33, Back 1:09.11, Breast 1:17.18, Free 1:02.77. This is almost a textbook race with the fly and free splits similar and the middle part (back and breaststroke) having an 8 second displacement. With a two second lead going into the final 50, Hosszu probably could have pushed the freestyle leg closer to the fly split.
Ye’s splits were Fly 1:02.87, Back 1:10.23, Breast 1:16.97, Free 1:02.00. Ye showed a balanced Fly and Free Split with a excellent breaststroke leg. 6.74 displacement between back and breast indicates a huge potential to improve on the backstroke leg of her race and a strong breaststroke leg.
Ohashi splits were Fly 1:01.29, Back 1:09.24, Breast 1:18.49, Free 1:03.31. The difference between backstroke and breaststroke was 9.25 seconds and indicates a weak breaststroke leg difference in time. Also the difference between her fly and free split should have been closer in time which indicates that she needs to either take her fly out a bit slower or bring her free home faster.
50 Splits in 400 IM
But the 100 splits are only a part of the story. Most coaches want their swimmers to negative split the 2nd 50 of the backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle legs of the 400IM. The common emphasis to take the first 50 out smooth and then bring your legs into the back 50.
Hozzsu negative split the backstroke (34.87/34.24) and the freestyle (31.42/31.35). Although she won the event, she is probably not pleased with her 38.07/39.11 splits in the breaststroke.
Ye negative split the backstroke (35.53/34.70), breaststroke (38.7/38.40) and a smoking freestyle negative split 31.80/30.20). Technically, her race was swam well. she was 5th after the butterfly which indicates the area of her race that needs the most improvement.
Ohashi negative split the backstroke (34.86/34.38) and freestyle (32.09/31.22). She almost even split her breaststroke leg.
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