Kalisz chases down 2nd title
Irvine (United States), July 30: Double world champion Chase Kalisz won the men’s 200m individual medley in a blistering 1min 55.73sec on Sunday to cap the US swimming championships with a second IM title.
Kalisz put himself atop the world rankings for 2018 heading into the Pan Pacific Championships starting in Tokyo on August 9.
“That one was definitely my best race of the meet,” said Kalisz, who was disappointed with his winning time in the 400m two days earlier. “I honestly didn’t think I was going to go 1:55.”
Abrahm DeVine was second in 1:57.41 while Gunnar Bentz and Andrew Seliskar tied for third in 1:58.23.
Kalisz, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist in the 400m, swept the medleys at the World Championships in Budapest last year.
He said he was looking forward to the Pan Pacs, where his 200m competition could include Japan’s Kosuke Hagino and Daiya Seto and China’s Wang Shun.
The Pan Pacs are the biggest international meet for US swimmers this year, and also another qualifier for next year’s World Championships in South Korea.
Olympic 100m free gold medalist Simone Manuel completed in the freestyle sprint sweep with a victory in the 50m in 24.10sec, breaking the US Open record wet by Australia’s Cate Campbell in the year 2008.
“I’m happy with that,” said Manuel, who led all the way.
Abbey Weitzeil was second in 24.63 and Margo Geer third in 24.79.
— AFP