World Junior Championships, Day Four Finals: Filip Nowacki Edges Shin Ohashi in Stellar 200 Breaststroke Duel; Just Misses British Record
The first time Great Britain’s Filip Nowacki and Japan’s Shin Ohashi battled this week at the World Junior Championships, Nowacki emerged victorious in the 100-meter breaststroke. The rising stars will meet again on Friday night in Otopeni, Romania, this time in the final of the 200 breaststroke. Ohashi is the world junior record holder in the event, but has not looked as sharp as his British foe through the first half of the meet.
The Night Four finals will also include finals of the men’s 50 freestyle and the women’s 200 individual medley. In the 50 freestyle, Ukraine’s Nikita Sheremet is coming off a semifinal time of 21.75, which equaled the world junior record of American Michael Andrew. In the 200 IM, the United States’ Audrey Derivaux will chase her third gold medal of the week, having already won the 200 butterfly and 200 backstroke.
Here is an event-by-event recap of the Night Four finals:
Women’s 50 Backstroke (Semifinals)
Korea’s Kim Seungwon got the session off to a quick start, setting a championship record in the 50 backstroke. Kim touched the wall in 27.77, which sliced .04 off the 27.81 by New Zealand’s Gabrielle Fa’Amausili at the 2015 meet. Great Britain’s Blythe Kinsman secured the No. 2 seed for the final, going 27.91, and was followed by Aussie Ainsley Trotter (27.94) and South African Jessica Thompson (27.98).
Men’s 200 Breaststroke (Final)
Many times, highly anticipated showdowns do not match expectations. But the 200 breaststroke duel between Great Britain’s Filip Nowacki and Shin Ohashi certainly delivered. After trailing through the opening length, Nowacki held the lead over the final 150 meters and captured the gold medal in 2:07.32, with Ohashi just behind in 2:07.56. The bronze medal went to American Gabe Nunziata in 2:09.70.
Nowacki and Ohashi engaged in a stellar matchup. While Ohashi held a 28.52 to 29.03 edge after the first lap, Nowacki moved in front at the midway point, splitting 1:01.22, to the 1:01.27 of Ohashi. Nowacki’s lead expanded on the third lap, where he split 32.89, and he had a 1:34.11 to 1:34.95 advantage entering the closing 50 meters. Ohashi cut into his deficit slightly coming home, but not enough.
Ohashi is the world junior record holder at 2:06.91 while Nowacki just missed the British record in the event, held at 2:07.30 by Ross Murdoch. The victory in the 200 breaststroke complemented the Brit’s earlier win in the 100 breast, and Nowacki and Ohashi appear poised for a sterling rivalry in the years ahead.
Women’s 50 Butterfly (Final)
New Zealand’s Zoe Pedersen grabbed the top step on the podium in a tight finish with Japan’s Mizuki Hirai. Pedersen delivered a swim of 25.63, which was quick enough to hold off Hirai, who was timed in 25.66. Denmark’s Martine Damborg was the other athlete to break the 26-second barrier, earning the bronze medal in 25.80.
Men’s 50 Backstroke (Final)
Heading into the final of the 50 backstroke, Russia’s Georgii Iakovlev was expected to walk away with the title in convincing fashion. Ultimately, Iakovlev had to share top honors, as he and Italian Daniele del Signore posted matching times of 24.91. Iakovlev went 24.58 in the semifinals, so his mark in the championship race was a considerable dropoff, and opened the door for del Signore to garner a piece of the crown.
Ireland’s John Shortt, who won the 100 backstroke earlier in the meet, grabbed the bronze medal in 25.06, with Aussie Henry Allan placing fourth in 25.14.
Women’s 100 Breaststroke (Final)
Lithuania might have an heir to Ruta Meilutyte in the 100 breaststroke, as Smilte Plytnykaite captured the world junior championship in the event in dominant style. Plytnykaite was the only swimmer to crack 1:07, posting a winning mark of 1:06.86. That swim was .74 ahead of Germany’s Lena Ludwig, who picked up the silver medal in 1:07.60. Korea’s Moon Sua snared the bronze medal in 1:07.86.
Men’s 50 Butterfly (Semifinals)
Great Britain’s Dean Fearn booked Lane Four for the final, going 23.36 in the semifinals of the 50 butterfly. But Fearn will have a challenge with the medals on the line, as Nigeria’s Abdul Jabar Adama qualified in the second spot with a mark of 23.48. The Czech Republic’s Jan Foltyn went 23.60 for third. Adama will have the final of the 50 freestyle later in the session.
