Poland’s Katarzyna Wasick lowered her own national record with a stunning swim in the 50m freestyle final on the opening night of the final 2022 Fina Swimming World Cup leg in Indianapolis, USA.
The 30-year-old, who claimed world and European silver medals in the event earlier this year, set a new national mark of 23.27 seconds at the second leg in Toronto last week.
A dominant display in the USA saw her hold off home-favourite Abbey Weitzeil and Madi Wilson of Australia and finish in a 23.10 secs.
“I’m in shock, I really didn’t know I could do that,” she told Fina after the race.
“I’m still learning things about my body and I just wish I could keep swimming each week right now so I could try (and beat the record) again!”
It completed her clean-sweep of the women’s 50m freestyle titles which secured her a bonus pay-out of $10,000. Wasick will next target a maiden World short course title in Melbourne in December
Beryl Gastaldello was denied the same honour in the 100m individual medley final by an agonising 0.01 secs, with American Beata Nelson ending her run of second-place finishes behind the French swimmer with the narrowest of victories.
Danas Rapsys second in 400m freestyle, won by American Kieran Smith.
Louise Hansson took third in the 50m backstroke, won by Canadian World champion Kylie Masse ahead of national team-mate Ingrid Wilm.
Marius Kusch of Germany also finished third in the 100m butterfly final, which saw South Africa’s Chad Le Clos claim the Fina Swimming World Cup ‘crown’ with his third successive victory in the event.
