Mireia Belmonte Garcia First to Break 16:00 in 1500 Free in 2014

PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain, April 12. MIREIA Belmonte Garcia might not have the top-end speed to challenge the likes of Katie Ledecky, but she certainly is a world beater in Europe as evidenced by the first sub-16:00 1500 free of the year while swimming at the Spanish Long Course Nationals.

Belmonte Garcia threw down a Spanish record 15:58.07 in the metric mile, upended her 2013 record of 15:58.83 set at the World Championships in Barcelona. Her time is far and away the best this year, crushing the previous top time of 16:11.70 by Martina Caramignoli earlier this week at the Italian Spring Nationals. Maria Vilas Vidal took second in 16:15.97 to stand fourth in the SwimVortex world rankings, while Erika Villaecija Garcia finished third in 16:25.35 for eighth in the world.

Marc Sanchez Torrens moved his way into sixth in the world rankings in the men’s 800-meter free with a winning 7:54.42 this evening. Antonio Arroyo Perez finished second in 8:03.94 with Victor Casanueva earning third in 8:08.13.

Jessica Vall Montero clinched the women’s 50-meter breaststroke title with a meet-record 31.29. That swim beat the 21.32 set by Concepcion Badillo Diaz in 2009, and nearly cleared her Spanish record of 31.14. Vall Montero wound up 10th in the world rankings with the swim. Marina Garcia Urzainqui finished second in 31.72 with Badillo Diaz taking third in 31.88.

Hector Espinosa won the men’s 50-meter breaststroke with a 28.24, while Sergio Barea placed second in 28.93. Victor Umsari earned third overall in 28.95. Mercedes Peris Minguet topped the women’s 100-meter back in 1:01.49, while Laura Fernandez took second in 1:02.58. Africa Zamorano Sanz wound up third in 1:02.86.

Juan Miguel Rando Galvez snared the men’s 100-meter back title in 54.69 with Juan Fernandez Segura Gutierrez taking second in 55.59. Pedro Oliveira rounded out the top three in 55.80. Fatima Gallardo Carapeto prevailed in the women’s 100-meter free with a 55.37, while Melanie Costa Schmid placed second in 55.63. Marta Gonzalez Crivillers finished third in 56.10.

Bruno Ortiz clipped Konrad Czerniak, 49.66 to 49.99, for the men’s 100-meter freestyle title, while M. F. Aguilera Melendez also cleared 50 with a third-place time of 49.99 in the finale.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

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

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x