Thomas Ceccon Blazes to 100 Back Title at Italian Championships; Nicolo Martinenghi Dazzles in 100 Breast

Thomas Ceccon Blazes to 100 Backstroke Title at Italian Championships; Nicolo Martinenghi Dazzles in 100 Breaststroke

The second session of finals at the Italian Championships in Riccione opened in pedestrian fashion on Sunday night, only to have Olympian Thomas Ceccon ratchet up the intensity in the 100-meter backstroke. The 21-year-old was the only athlete to break the 54-second barrier, and did a little bit more, as he put a 52.99 performance on the scoreboard.

Ceccon was superb at last summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, touching fourth in the 100 backstroke to just miss the podium. However, he handled the backstroke leg for Italy in the 400 medley relay, helping his country to a bronze medal. By producing a sub-53 mark at this point in the season, Ceccon appears to be on a strong path toward June’s World Championships in Budapest.

Out in 25.69, Ceccon had a comfortable lead at the midway point of the race and turned in the fastest back half of the race, which he covered in 27.30. Touching in second place behind Ceccon was Michele Lamberti, who registered a time of 54.55.

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While Ceccon was sharp in the 100 backstroke, Nicolo Martinenghi dazzled in the 100 breaststroke, popping a winning performance of 58.57. That time was not far off the 58.33 that Martinenghi managed to win the bronze medal at the Olympics, and suggests a big summer awaits. Martinenghi split 27.34 for the first 50 meters and made the return trip in 31.23. At the Olympics, Martinenghi finished behind only Adam Peaty and Arno Kamminga.

Francesca Fangio put together a comfortable victory in the women’s 200 breaststroke, with her effort of 2:23.60 more than two seconds clear of the 2:25.64 of Lisa Angiolini. In the 200 freestyle, Alice Mizzau prevailed in 1:59.59.

Silvia Scalia blasted the field in the women’s 50 backstroke, as her mark of 27.66 easily bested the 28.22 of Margherita Panziera. Meanwhile, Piero Codia won another of the sprint events when he clocked 23.56 in the 50 butterfly. The women’s 100 butterfly was captured by Elena Di Liddo in 58.70.

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