Star Online : Host Russia break world record in mixed relay

MOSCOW (AFP): South Africa’s Olympic and world champion Chad Le Clos claimed two more wins at the Moscow World Cup swimming meet on Sunday with victories in the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley.

South African swimmer Chad Le Clos bags two more gold medals at the FINA Swimming World Cup in Moscow on Sunday. AFP PHOTO/ Olaf Kraak.

The hosts meanwhile clocked a new world record in the 4x50m mixed freestyle relay in one minute 33.01 second ahead of second-placed Brazil (1:33.43) and third-placed Japan (1:33.48).

The 21-year-old Le Clos, who won the 200m butterfly on Saturday, was also the first in the 100m butterfly in 49.34. The United States’ Tom Shields finished second in 49.74, while Pole Konrad Czerniak was third in 50.66.

In the 200m individual medley, Le Clos clocked one minute 53.04 seconds to finish ahead of second-placed Australian Kenneth To and Pawel Korzeniowski of Poland, who was third.

Russia’s Vladimir Morozov, who is currently second in the World Cup overall standings, took the 50m freestyle in 20.59 to beat Roland Schoeman (21.15) and George Bovell of Trinidad and Tobago (21.49).

To, last year’s World Cup winner, won the 100m breaststroke with a time of 58.42 with Great Britain’s Michael Jamieson coming second at 58.83, while Russia’s Viatcheslav Sinkevich touched in for third at 58.89.

In the women’s events, Katinka Hosszu of Hungary, the 2012 World Cup winner and current leader of the 2013 series, also claimed the gold in 400m induividual medley and 200m butterfly.

“My goal was to be in the top three in every race,” Hosszu said. “There is a new rule – you get points for every medal.”

“So this was a pretty good display for me here with five podiums and one gold on Saturday and two golds and two podiums on Sunday.”

Lithuanian 16-year old Ruta Meilutyte, who set a new world record in the women’s 100 breaststroke on Saturday, also won two more golds – in the 50m breaststroke and 100m individual medley.

Sweden’s Sarah Sjoestroem prevailed in the 100m freestyle (51.93) as well as the 50m butterfly (25.56).