World Championships: After Josh Liendo Opens Door, Ryan Held Wins Swimoff to Reach Final of 50 Freestyle

Editorial content for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships is sponsored by FINIS, a longtime partner of Swimming World and leading innovator of suits, goggles and equipment.

World Championships: After Josh Liendo Opens Door, Ryan Held Wins Swimoff to Reach Final of 50 Freestyle

When the results of the semifinals of the 50-meter freestyle flashed on the scoreboard at the World Championships, the names of the Ukraine’s Vladyslav Bukhov and the United States’ Ryan Held were missing from the first page. They could be found atop the second page, in a tie for ninth at 21.91 and out of the final. But when word came out that Canada’s Josh Liendo was scratching the final to focus on the 100 butterfly, that tie became an important storyline.

With Liendo stepping aside, Bukhov and Held engaged in a swimoff to determine the last finalist in the 50 freestyle, and it was the American who emerged victorious. Using his strong start, Held bolted to a time of 21.68 and narrowly fended off a hard-charging Bukhov, who touched the wall in 21.70. As the saying goes, Held now has a lane and a chance.

Liendo had a decision to make for his Saturday program. While he advanced to the finals of the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly, he was only eighth in the sprint free. And with that event preceding the 100 fly, where Liendo is a medal contender, the Canadian and University of Florida star didn’t want to unnecessarily jeopardize his chances.

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