COMPETITION INSIGHTS
arena swimmers continued their domination at the European SC Championships in Netanya, Israel, as it drew to a close on 6th December. All told, an incredible 80% of gold medal winners wore arena suits, while 74% of all podium finishers came from the arena camp. The final arena counts were 32 gold, 29 silver, and 30 bronze for a total of 91 medals overall.
Gregorio Paltrinieri produced the performance of the Championships as he took down the oldest existing world record, breaking Grant Hackett’s 1500 free mark from 2001 with a stunning time of 14:08.06. The Italian led from start to finish, surging to his victory almost 10 seconds ahead of compatriot Gabriele Detti in second.
Top of the heap on the women’s side was Iron Lady Katinka Hosszú, whose phenomenal performance yielded 6 golds and a silver from 7 starts, along with 2 world and 6 championship records. Following her 400 IM WR on Day 1, Katinka nabbed her second in 100 IM on Day 3 with a time of 56.67, eclipsing the mark she set a year ago in Doha. Earlier on Day 3’s finals session she set a new 200 back CR (1:59.84), snagging another in 200 IM (2:02.53) on Day 4, along with the 50 back title. In her only second-place finish in 400 free on Day 5, she was pipped at the…
