United States Medley Relay in Position for Three-Peat, but Russia Looking Dangerous

Editorial content for the 2019 World Championships coverage is sponsored by FORM Swim Goggles. See full event coverage. Follow FORM on Instagram at @FORMSwim #swimwithform

World Swimming Championships (United States Medley Relay)

Gwangju 2019

Day Eight Heats (Men’s 400 Medley Relay)

A third consecutive gold medal in the 400 medley relay won’t be easy to come by for the United States, its path to the top of the podium perhaps as challenging as ever. But Team USA did what was necessary in the prelims, as the foursome of Matt Grevers (52.89), Michael Andrew (59.75), Jack Conger (51.70) and Zach Apple (47.59) qualified second for the final in 3:31.93. Historically, the U.S. has won 13 of the 17 medley relays contested at Worlds.

“It’s been pretty good,” Apple said of his week, which included a gold in the 400 freestyle relay. “I’ve had a few races that have been really exciting, and a few that I wish I would have been a little better on. But overall I think the week has gone really well and I’m excited to see the guys finish it out.”

Russia claimed the top seed for the final as the unit of Kliment Kolesnikov (53.75), Anton Chupkov (58.90), Mikhail Vekovishchev (50.87) and Vladislav Grinev (47.20) combined for a mark of 3:030.72. Japan (3:32.34), Great Britain (3:32.35) and Australia (3:32.50) finished third through fifth, with Brazil going 3:32.58 for sixth.

There will be plenty of lineup changes for the evening session, with the United States almost certainly going with a fresh squad of Ryan Murphy, Andrew Wilson, Caeleb Dressel and Blake Pieroni. The gap Dressel will provide on the fly leg should go a long way toward determining the United States’ fate. Russia, too, has some firepower on the way, as Evgeny Rylov (backstroke) and Andrei Minakov (butterfly) will be added, with a decision looming between Chupkov or Kirill Prigoda handling breaststroke.

Because it will add Adam Peaty to the breaststroke leg for the final, Great Britain cannot be overlooked. Like Dressel on the fly leg, Peaty has the ability to provide a cushion of nearly two seconds over the competition. Japan and Australia are more limited in their options for additional speed, although the Aussies will turn to Kyle Chalmers on the anchor.

Finalists

1. Russia 3:30.72
2. United States 3:31.93
3. Japan 3:32.34
4. Great Britain 3:32.35
5. Australia 3:32.50
6. Brazil 3:32.58
7. China 3:33.42
8. Germany 3:34.02

Name*

Email*

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