Top stars are kicking off the World Cup meet in Berlin with fast times and statements on their road to Tokyo.
The women started with 400m freestyle and Barbora Seemanova (CZE) claiming the first gold medal of the day.
Danas Rapsys (LTU) and the German World Champion Florian Wellbrock are fighting for a win swimming 400m freestyle. It was a close race but it was Rapsys who grabbed the medal in 3:47,65 minutes followed by Wellbrock in 3:48,98. Both Danas and Florian were competing with fans rooting for them from the spectator stages.
Shortly after, Kira Toussaint (NED) set a new national record and grabbed gold swimming 50m backstroke in 27,49 seconds. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the time” she said super happy after the race. Fun fact, her and Ranomi Kromowidjojo, who came in third (28,48), apparently had a little bet going and therefore Ranomi owes Kira a cake now.
With a strong lead Japanese Ryosuke Irie won the 200m backstroke in 1:56,46 minutes. Fans and teams were able to witness his famous elegant swimming style.
The Hungarians Zsuzsanna Jakabos and Katinka Hosszu were fighting tooth and nail for the 200m butterfly win. Hosszu claimed victory in 2:09,13 and therefore can now consider 297 gold medals at world cup meets her own.
The Hungarian road of success was not over yet. Youngster Kristof Milak also grabbed gold in the men’s 100m butterfly in 51,78 seconds.
Spain celebrated a double victory in 200m breaststroke with Jessica Vall Montero coming in first in 2:27,14 and Marina Garcia Urzainqui (2:27,82) coming in second.
The 23-year-old Arno Kamminga (NED) secured another win in Berlin swimming 100m breaststroke in 59,15 seconds. Currently being at the top of the European cluster leaderboard, his goal is to swim fast. The possibility of taking 50.000 USD home is a bonus for him.
Last but not least, Michelle Coleman achieved her personal best swimming 50m freestyle in 24,26 seconds beating sprint-queen Ranomi Kromowidjojo.
With impressively fast last meters, the Russian prevailed in 21.55 seconds, thus further extending the gap to his opponents.
