2021 Mare Nostrum: Katinka Hosszu rounds off hectic schedule with third win of the weekend
All the results and a full report on an action packed Sunday of swimming in Monte Carlo at the 2021 Mare Nostrum.
Swimming
Katinka Hosszu was the big star in an interesting second day of swimming at the 2021 Mare Nostrum in Monaco.
The three-time Olympic champion racked up three wins over two days across a staggering amount of entries. There were also victories for Yulia Efimova and Chad Le Clos on Sunday (30th May).
The pandemic has meant finding top class racing has been challenging for the swimmers aspiring to greatness at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Japan, starting July 2021.
The Mare Nostrum event usually attracts a high calibre field – and there were many recognisable faces in the pool.
Hosszu was the star on day one and she was highest profile athlete on show on the second day as well.
2021 Mare Nostrum: : Katinka Hosszu challenged on day two
Katinka Hosszu looked a little tired when up against Mexico’s Maria Mata Coco in the 200m butterfly.
The Hungarian finished in third place, with Lilo Ressencourt of France in second, and Mata Coco taking first place.
Another third place followed for Hosszu in the 100m backstroke. Kira Toussaint of the Netherlands won, with Mimosa Jallow in second.
But she did manage to claim her third event of the weekend with a victory in the 200m medley.
Her unhappiness with inconsistent form towards the end of 2020 is also on display in an updated trailer to the documentary that is being made about her Olympic journey.
Hosszu was one of the stars of Rio 2016 winning three Olympic titles in the pool.
2021 Mare Nostrum: Yulia Efimova takes the win in the 200m breaststroke
After winning the 100m breaststroke on day one, Yulia Efimova followed up on day two with another victory.
Efimova showed excellent technique to glide to her way to a second win of the weekend in the 200m breaststroke.
It’s unlikely that Efimova will be selected to represent the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in this event at the Tokyo Games, after she finished third in their nationals.
Hosszu finished in eighth place in the 200m.
2021 Mare Nostrum: Chad Le Clos adds another victory in Monaco
South Africa were represented by Olympic champion Chad Le Clos. He won the 200m butterfly on the first day.
The 100m butterfly was an exciting watch on Sunday, with Le Clos just about edging out Jeremy Desplanches in second and Tomer Frankel in third.
Le Clos finished in fifth place in his other big final of the day - the 200m freestyle.
Kregor Zirk of Estonia took first place. Jorge Andres Iga Cesar of Mexico was in second and Jordan Pothain of France placed third.
Estonia have never won an Olympic medal in swimming.
2021 Mare Nostrum: Racing continues France and Barcelona
Some countries were missing, which meant the competition wasn’t a true reflection of the full talent that will be on display at the Olympics.
For example, there were no competitors from Australia, United States, Germany, or Japan on the second day.
More top athletes, including Swedish Olympic champion Sarah Sjostrom, are expected as competition continues this week.
The Mare Nostrum event has two further stops with two days from Canet-en-Roussillon on 1 and 2 June. Barcelona rounds off the tour on 5 and 6 June.
Sarah SJOSTROM
2021 Mare Nostrum: Day Two Results
400m medley Men
1. Arjan KNIPPING - Netherlands (4:16:24)
2. Ron POLONSKY – Israel (4:19:00)
3. Romain VANMOEN - France (4:37:16)
400m freestyle Women
1. Lisa POU - France (4:24:92)
2. Anais ARLANDIS - France (4:29:61)
3. Lauren BRETT - Great Britain (5:02:92)
100m butterfly Men
1. Chad LE CLOS - South Africa (52:45)
2. Jeremy DESPLANCHES - Switzerland (52:63)
3. Tomer FRANKEL – Israel (52:74)
200m butterfly Women
1. Maria MATA COCCO - Mexico (2:09:57)
2. Lilo RESSENCOURT - France (2:12:16)
3. Katinka HOSSZU - Hungary (2:12:77)
200m backstroke Men
1. Christophe BRUN - France (1:59:79)
2. Omar PINZON GARCIA - Colombia (2:01:62)
3. Jeremy DESPLANCHES - Switzerland (2:01:86)
100m backstroke Women
1. Kira TOUSSAINT - Netherlands (59:41)
2. Mimosa JALLOW - Finland (1:00:48)
3. Katinka HOSSZU - Hungary (1:02:00)
100m breaststroke Men
1. Valentin BAYER - Austria (1:01:46)
2. Miguel-Alejandro DE LARA OJEDA - Mexico (1:01:91)
3. Adnane BEJI -Tunisia / Denis PETRASHOV – Kyrgyzstan (1:01:96)
200m breaststroke Women
1. Yuliya EFIMOVA - Athlete representing Russia (2:25:61)
2. Byanca Melissa RODRIGUEZ VILLANUEVA - Mexico (2:26:93)
3. Fantine LESAFFRE - France (2:28:53)
200m freestyle Men
1. Kregor ZIRK - Estonia (1:47:01)
2. Jorge Andres IGA CESAR - Mexico (1:47:51)
3. Jordan POTHAIN - France (1:48:32)
100m freestyle Women
1. Charlotte BONNET - France (54:12)
2. Lidon MUNOZ – Spain (55:28)
3. Evelin VERRASZTO - Hungary (55:82)
200m medley Women
1. Katinka HOSSZU – Hungary (2:13:14)
2. Fantine LESAFFRE – France (2:14:65)