Thomas Ceccon & Lorenzo Mora Among The Winners At Nico Sapio Swimming Trophy

Thomas Ceccon of Italy competes in the 100m Backstroke Men Semifinal during the 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall A in Fukuoka (Japan), July 24th, 2023.

Thomas Ceccon: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

Thomas Ceccon & Lorenzo Mora Among The Winners At Nico Sapio Swimming Trophy

Thomas Ceccon rattled the Italian 200IM short-course record and Lorenzo Mora claimed double backstroke gold on the first day of the 49th Nico Sapio Swimming Trophy in Genoa.

The three-day competition doubles as a selection meet for the European Short-Course Championships in Otopeni, Romania, from 5-10 December.

Ceccon stopped the clock in 1:51 90 to cut 0.59 from his 1:52.49 PB he set en-route to silver at the 2021 short-course Europeans in Kazan.

It was 0.36 outside Alberto Razzetti’s national mark of 1:51.54 which secured bronze at the 2021 World Short-Course Championships.

Razzetti was second in Genoa in 1:55.54 with Lorenzo Glessi completing the podium in 1:56.00.

There were mixed feelings for Ceccon who said through the Italian Federation:

“It’s sad because the record isn’t too far away. These are tests that help me understand my physical condition, which already seems decent to me.”

Mora won the 50 back in 23.32 ahead of Michele Lamberti (23.52) and Simone Stefanì (23.70) before returning for the 200.

The nine-time world s/c medallist enjoyed a dominant victory in 1:50.16 with Lamberti replicating his one-length silver in 1:54.05 and Christian Bacico third in 1:55.95.

Quadarella Makes Winning Return; Two Medals For Pilato

Simona Quadarella of Italy competes in the 800m Freestyle Women Final during the 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall A in Fukuoka (Japan), July 29th, 2023.

Simona Quadarella: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

Simona Quadarella made her first appearance since the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka where she won silver in the 1500m freestyle.

The 25-year-old won the 400 free in 4:00.11, the second-best short-course effort of her career behind the 3:59.75 that propelled her to gold at the 2019 Europeans in Glasgow.

Anna Egorova of Russia was second in 4:02.60 with Matilde Biagiotti next home in 4:07.04.

Benedetta Pilato won the 50 breast in 29.43 ahead of Martina Carraro (29.98) and Arianna Castiglioni (30.08) before returning for the 200.

It was Francesca Fangio who dominated, winning in 2:19.99, 0.82 outside her Italian record set in Riccione in April.

Giulia Verona won the battle for silver in 2:25.34, 0.08 ahead of Pilato who claimed her second medal of the night in 2:25.42.

Just 0.10 separated the top three in the women’s 50 fly with Silvia Di Pietro taking the win in 25.81, 0.03 ahead of Elena Di Liddo (25.84) with Sonia Laquintana dipping inside 26 for the first time in 25.91.

Miressi Claims 50 Free Crown; Cusinato Makes Two Podium Trips

Alessandro Miressi headed the 50 free in 21.29, 0.04 in front of Lorenzo Zazzeri (21.33) with Thom De Boer of the Netherlands third in 21.76.

Paolo Conte Bonin sliced 1.23secs from his 200 free PB in 1:43.97 as Matteo Ciampi took second in 1:44.70 with third-placed Alessandro Ragaini taking his first journey inside 1:45 in 1:44.95.

Alessandro Miressi of Italy competes in the 100m Freestyle Men Final during the FINA Swimming Short Course World Championships at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in Melbourne, Australia, December 15th, 2022. Photo Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

Alessandro Miressi: Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

Ilaria Cusinato stopped the clock in 2:06.19 in the 200 fly with Alessia Polieri second home in 2:06.76 and Antonella Crispino third in 2:08.64.

Cusinato made her way back to the pool for the 400IM where she placed second behind Francesca Fresia who won in 4:33.53 to 4:33.96.

Chiara Tarantino lowered her best by 0.20 in the 100 free as she touched in 53.15, just 0.01 ahead of Sofia Morini who set a 53.16 PB, Costanza Cocconcelli third in 53.66.

Italian record-holder Cocconcelli returned to take the 100IM in 59.21 with Anita Bottazzo second in 1:00.84 and Sara Curtis – three-time champion at the 2023 European juniors – third in 1:01.07.

Simone Cerasuolo claimed a tight victory in the men’s 100 breaststroke ahead of Gabriele Mancini in 57.97 to 58.02 with Stefano Saladini third in 58.30.

Matteo Rivolta won the 100 fly in 50.59 with Michele Busa second in a 50.72 PB as Stefani won his second bronze of the night in 50.92.

Luca De Tullio set a PB of 14:33.37 as he dominated the 15oo free, 18.15secs ahead of Matteo Diodato (14:51.52) with Filippo Rinaldi a distant third in 15:04.63.

Silvia Scala claimed the 100 back in 58.31 as Francesca Pasquino (58.85) and Martina Cenci (58.96) followed her home.

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