Martina Carraro<\/strong> set a national record of 1:05.86 in the 100m breaststroke at the Italian Swimming Championships <\/strong>to announce herself as a medal contender at the Tokyo Olympics<\/strong> in July.<\/p>\n

The meet represents the final chance to guarantee a spot on the Italian team for Tokyo although some swimmers may negotiate their way there at the\u00a0Sette Colli<\/strong>\u00a0in June.<\/p>\n

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Lilly King Martina Carraro Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant<\/p><\/div>\n
Arianna Castiglioni<\/strong> (1:06.37) and Pilato (1:06.38) led the way in prelims but it was Carraro – who won bronze at the 2019 World Championships – who became the first Italian to break the 1:06 barrier.<\/p>\n
Pilato was first at halfway in 30.91 to Carraro’s 31.07 with Castiglioni in third (31.32) but a second 50 of 34.79 propelled the 27-year-old home.<\/p>\n
Castiglioni produced the fastest second 50 of 34.68 to move on to Pilato’s shoulder with the pair both stopping the clock at 1:06.00.<\/p>\n
Pilato had already booked her ticket for Tokyo and will now be joined by Carraro, who was some way inside the cut of 1:06.9.<\/p>\n
In fact, all the first three were well inside the qualification time with Castiglioni failing to clinch a spot despite going 1:06.00 which begs the question of whether there will be room for an appeal given that time is speedier than the 1:06.02 in which Pilato had qualified.<\/p>\n
Carraro had set a then national record of 1:06.36 to claim bronze behind Lilly King<\/strong> (1:04.93) and Yulia Efimova<\/strong> (1:05.49) in Gwangju in July 2019.<\/p>\n
Saturday’s time was enough to guide the Italian to second in the rankings led by King and her 1:05.32 with Tatjana Schoenmaker<\/strong> of South Africa now relegated to third (1:05.89).<\/p>\n
Carraro told the Italian Swimming Federation<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a very difficult day, very tense.\u00a0I was trying for the Olympics and I didn’t want to give it up for the world. I am really happy.<\/p>\n
“I’m happy to be able to improve myself so much.<\/p>\n
“Such a remarkable time I am very proud of the work we are doing. This morning I was amazed by the time Arianna Castiglioni swam but I remained focused on my race and my potential.\u00a0I didn’t want to miss this opportunity.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Pellegrini Dominates 200 Free<\/h3>\n
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Federica Pellegrini: Photo Courtesy: PATRICK B. KRAEMER<\/p><\/div>\n
Federica Pellegrini<\/strong> led from start to finish to win the 200fr in 1:56.69 to go fifth in the rankings.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old four-time 200fr world champion was out in 26.81 and reached halfway in 56.24 (29.43).<\/p>\n
Pellegrini turned at 15o in 1:26.37 (30.13) before a final 50 of 30.32 guided her home almost three seconds ahead of Margherita Panziera<\/strong> – who has won the 100-200 backstroke double so far this week – who touched in 1:59.52.<\/p>\n
Stefania Pirozzi<\/strong> completed the top three in 2:00.38.<\/p>\n
Pellegrini will compete in her fifth Olympics, 13 years after she won 200 free gold at Beijing 2008<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
She said:<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry for the tears but these last few months have not been easy.\u00a0Swimming this time was not easy and it’s even more beautiful because it’s my race.<\/p>\n
“I’m happy with the time, with everything. They are in line with the other Italian championships made in recent years.<\/p>\n
“Now I can breathe much better. I have reached the fifth Olympics and I feel like crying again.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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A post shared by Federica Pellegrini (@kikkafede88)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n