FINA Day 5 Results – Anchored by a fast (20.46) Vladimir Morozov got more Russian Gold, the first title of the evening, touching for at (1:31.52) in the men’s 4x50m medley relay

Already the best of the heats, the European quartet was faster than USA, silver medallist in 1:31.97. The bronze went to Belarus in 1:32.49. This outcome is significantly different than the 2014 scenario, when this event was first contested at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m): in Doha (QAT), the quartet of Brazil (did not take part in Windsor) got the gold, followed by France (ninth of the heats here in Canada) and by USA.

Another easy win for Katinka Hosszu (HUN), this time in the women’s 200m IM, where the Magyar swam almost alone for the gold in 2:02.90. The Hungarian great is the WR holder in this event, thanks to her victory in Doha 2014, in a time of 2:01.86. It was the sixth gold medal for Hosszu here in Windsor and once more an additional proof of her incredible versatility. The minor medals went for the two US representatives in the decisive race, Ella Eastin (silver in 2:05.02) and Madisyn Cox (bronze in 2:05.93).

Chad Le Clos (RSA) added another success to his impressive roll of honour, earning gold in the men’s 50m fly in a time of 21.98. It was 0.03 slower than his Championships’ record of Doha 2014, but enough to overcome his main opponents: Tom Shields (USA), the fastest of the semis, had to content with silver in 22.40, while Australia’s David Morgan earned bronze in 22.47. This was the third world title for Le Clos here in Windsor, after his wins in the 100m fly and 200m fly; the South African star was also silver medalist in the 200m free. For Tom Shields it represented the completion of a “silver” series in the butterfly events.

Upon the poolside interview, just seconds after his brilliant win in the men’s 100m IM, Michael Andrews talked about how great it felt that the strokes came together so nicely… Well, those strokes… A little more than a year ago the giant US boy made his name at the World Junior Swimming Championships in Singapore.

One day he swam five events. The other saw him capturing gold in the 50m back, silver in the 50m free and clocking the best time in the 50m fly semis (next day he earned silver there, too). In the very same session, within approximately 80 minutes. So it’s no surprise that he managed to put together all these strokes here in Windsor and ended up standing on the top of podium.

“I didn’t expect that, for sure” he smiled in the interview zone. “I hoped I could break the junior World Record (51.93), which I did obviously (51.84), but thought it might be enough for a bronze. It turned out to be good for gold and that’s awesome.”

Michael is known for turning into professional at the age of 14, which was a big splash in the States. So many watched him at this year’s Olympic trials but despite producing a couple of great swims he couldn’t make the cut for Rio. News started spreading, what’s next for him, the youngest swimming pro ever, and so on…