Viktoria Zeynep Gunes added another world class swim to this year’s French Open in Vichy. Yesterday, Federica Pelligrini busted out the third-fastest 200-meter free in the world with a 1:55.00. Today, it was Gunes’s turn.
Gunes blazed the sixth-fastest time in the world en route to winning the women’s 200-meter breast. Her 2:22.69 jumped her from eighth in the world to sixth. Her first 100 split was a solid 1:08.78, and she finished in 1:13.91. Molly Renshaw silvered with a 2:25.67, and Laura Sogar hit a 2:26.75 to get third.
Gunes followed it up with much closer victory in the women’s 50-meter breast. She (31.37) narrowly defeated Amit Ivry (31.46), while Arianna Castiglioni wound up third in 31.63.
Francesca Halsall came away with a win in the 50-meter fly, posting a final time of 26.20. She touched out Poland’s Anna Dowgiert, who swam a 26.45. Kimberly Buys ended up third in 26.75.
Jan Switkowski (1:48.71) made a solid comeback on the last 150 meters to win the men’s 200-meter free ahead of Lorys Bourelly (1:49.25). Filippo Magnini took third in 1:49.28.
South Africa’s Cameron Van Der Burgh swam a 1:00.38 to outduel Giacomo Perez Dortona (1:00.72) in the men’s 100-meter breast. Van Der Burgh came home nearly half a second faster than Dortona, which ultimately made the difference between winning and losing. Damir Dugonjic made the podium with a 1:01.48.
In the men’s 100-meter fly, Mehdy Metella popped off a 52.31 to take gold. Pawel Korzeniowski finished just behind Metella in 52.42 to get second. Matteo Rivolta swam a 53.09 to place third.
Coming off her 50-meter free win yesterday, Georgia Davies took the women’s 100-meter back in 1:00.65. Alicja Tchorz came in second in 1:01.42, while Daryna Zevina wound up third in 1:01.87.
The French National Team took first and second in the men’s 50-meter back Camille Lacourt busted out a 25.11 and Jérémy Stravius swam a 25.21. Jonatan Josef Kopelev clocked a 25.61 to tie for third with Guy Marcos Barnea.
Federico Turrini won the men’s 200-meter IM in 2:02.55 just ahead of Roberto Pavoni’s 2:02.59. Marcin Cieslak rounded out a tight top three in 2:02.61.
France finished a solid 1-2-3 in the women’s 400-meter free when Coralie Balmy (4:07.42), Charlotte Bonnet (4:11.81) and Ophélie-Cyrielle Etienne (4:12.06) hit the wall first.
Florent Manaudou took the men’s 50-meter free in a quick 21.6. Cesar Cielo fell to second again in 22.15, while Kristian Gkolomeev took third in 22.17.
Arkady Vyatchanin followed up his 100-meter back win yesterday with a 1:56.80 victory in the men’s 200-meter back today. Benjamin Stasiulis swam under the two-minute mark to get second with a 1:58.93. Oleg Garasymovytch finished third in 2:01.38.
After a world-ranked 200-meter free yesterday, Federica Pelligrini turned in a win in the women’s 100-meter free in 54.37. She finished just ahead of Charlotte Bonnet, who clocked a 54.72. Katinka Hosszu placed third with a 55.26.
Joris Bouchat (15:09.31) outlasted Damien Joly (15:09.69) in a tight and thrilling men’s 1500-meter free. Joly held the lead for most of the race until Bouchaut vaulted in front at the 1400-meter mark. Wojciech Wojdak took third in 15:14.56.
Tunes’ 2:22.69 200 breast is not only her or and a Turkish record by five minutes (just kidding!) but it also beats her old pr of 2:23.09’from Barcelona World Championships — when she was still swiming for Ukraine and was known as Viktoriya Solentseva.
Guess the waters in Ankara must agree w/her.
Look out, Rikke, you’ve got competition!
My error. Gunes — NOT Tunes.