Seto and Sates make the big splash at FINA World Cup in Doha
THE FINA World Cup Doha 2021 got off to an exciting start at the Hamad Aquatic Centre on Thursday as Japan’s Dalya Seto won the gold in the men’s 100m Medley Final where South African giant Matthew Sates picked up two medals.
Seto, 27 won the 100m medley final in a time of 51.56 seconds and secured 873 FINA points for his efforts. The Japanese swimming star edged Sates the overall ranking leader in the ongoing FINA World Cup series - into second spot as the South African clocked a time of 51.74 seconds in what turned out to be an exciting battle.
Korea’s Sunwoo Hwang grabbed the bronze out of a field of 10 swimmers on the starting ramp. Hwang clocked 52.74 seconds.
“I am so happy to be back in the pool,” Seto said.
Earlier in the evening on Thursday, Sates won the 400m freestyle gold to underline his intentions in Doha this week. Sates sealed the deal in a time of 3 38.64 and picked up a tally of 914 FINA points.
Lithuania’s Danas Rapsys grabbed the silver in a time of 3 38.88. Estonia’s Kregor irk was the third- best (3 42.35). Qatar’s Nour Eddine Kheddache (4 20.91) also featured in the finals.
“It’s good to get this result in the first final for me here,” Sates said on Thursday.
In the women’s 100m medley final, Swiss star Maria Ugolkovaon overcame a strong field of nine swimmers to win the gold in a time of 58.82 seconds. Ugolkova also picked up 886 FINA points.
Results (Day 1)
Women’s 400m Freestyle Final: Madison Wilson (AUS) 4:03.58; Simona Quadarella (ITA) 4:03.74; Leah Neale (AUS) 4:05.66; Men’s 400m Freestyle Final: Matthew Sates (RSA) 3:38.64; Danas Rapsys (LIT) 3:38.88; KregorZirk (EST) 3:42.35; Women’s 50m Backstroke Final: Kira Toussaint (NED) 25.93; Holly Barratt (AUS) 26.47; Annika Bruhn (GER) 28.42; Men’s 200m Backstroke Final: Pieter Coetze (RSA) 1:52.09; Yakav Toumarkin (ISR) 1:52.98; Lee Juho (KOR) 1:52.98; Women’s 200m Backstroke Final: Zsuzsanna Jakabos (HUN) 2:06.23; Maria Ugolkova (SUI) 2:06.47; Katja Fain (SLO) 2:09.90; Men’s 100m Butterfly Final: Tom Shields (US) 49.46; Szebasztian Szabo (HUN) 49.92; Louis Croenen (BEL) 51.54; Women’s 200m Breaststroke Final: Yuliya Efimova (RUS) 2:22.19; Emily Visagie (RSA) 2:23.20; Back Suyeon (KOR) 2:23.22; Men’s 100m Breaststroke Final: Arno Kamminga (NED) 56.35 seconds; Fabio Schwingenschlogl (GER) 56.63; Anton Chupkov (RUS) 57.56;
Women’s 50m Freestyle Final:
Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) 23.46; Emma McKeon (AUS) 23.54; Madison Wilson (AUS) 23.90;
Men’s 50m Freestyle Final:
Vladimir Morozov (RUS) 20.89; Kyle Charlmers (AUS) 21.02; Jesse Puts (NED) 21.13; Women’s 100m Medley Final: Maria Ugolkova (SUI) 58.82; Michelle Coleman (SWE) 59.18; Fanny Lecluyse (BEL) 1:00.09; Men’s 100m Medley Final: Dalya Seto (JPN) 51.56; Matthew Sates (RSA) 51.74; Sunwoo Hwang (KOR) 52.74.