Marrit Steenbergen Nudges Dutch 100 Back Record; Korstanje, Jansen & Van Westering Among Podium Toppers
A day after breaking 53secs in the 100 free for the third time this year, Marrit Steenbergen went within touching distance of Kira Toussaint’s national 100 back record at the Dutch Championships in Amersfoort.
Marrit Steenbergen: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Maaike de Waard set a championship record of 1:00.19 in the 100 back prelims but Steenbergen was out like a shot in the final and turned 0.33 ahead in 28.77. She came home in 29.88 for a PB of 58.96 to become only the second Dutchwoman to break 59secs. It was the fifth-fastest performance in Netherlands history topped by Toussaint’s national record of 58.65 which has stood since the Eindhoven Qualification Meet in April 2-21. Toussaint announced her retirement from competitive swimming on the eve of the championships. De Waard was second in 1:00.63 with Lotte Hosper third home in 1:01.10.
Nyls Korstanje went 22.86 for a championship mark in the 50 fly prelims before taking the title in 22.93 ahead of Sean Niewold (23.14) and Thomas Verhoeven (23.21). It was the second medal of the session for Niewold who came from 0.23 down at the turn to go past Renzo Tjon A Joe and take the 100 free in 48.54 to 48.95. The pair were the only men inside 50secs with Perry Laarhoven next home in 50.10.
LEN U23 champion Kai van Westering continued his fine meet by following up his 100 back success with a 1:57.32 victory over 200m. It was the fourth best of his career topped by his 1:56.91 PB from the Doha worlds in February 2024 and 0.47 off Nick Driebergen’s Dutch record of 1:56.85 which has stood since the supersuited World Championships in 2009. Van Westering wrote his name into the national record books on the opening day with a 53.51 performance in the 100 back prelims before returning to take the title in 53.63. Hendrik van der Leest was second in 1:59.14 with the pair the only men inside 2:01.
Thomas Jansen completed the medley double with a comprehensive win in the 400IM. His time of 4:15.52 was a championship record and within the A cut for Singapore.
De Jong & Giele Top The Podium
Nyls Korstanje: Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Imani de Jong added the 400 free to her 800 title in 4:12.61 with Marte Hieke van der Kamp claiming her third medal of the meet so far in second (4:16.31).
Tessa Giele booked her spot in Singapore in the opening day where she tied with Maaike de Waard in the 50 fly after finishing third in the 100 free. On Friday she edged a close 50m breaststroke by 0.06, touching in 31.91 to Hanna Kareinen’s 31.97.
Zinke Delcommune headed the women’s 200IM in 2:17.85. Thijs Wellink led the way in the men’s 800 free in 9:02.72.
Dorsman At The Double
There was double gold for Rogier Dorsman as he made it three titles in as many races. Swimming in the S11 classification, Dorsman took the 100 free in 59.96 before returning for the 50 fly where he clocked 28.04. It followed his 200IM title on the opening day.
Lisa Kruger also made two trips to the top of the podium. The 50m breaststroke was first up which the SB9 swimmer headed in 36.21 before she led he way in the 200IM SM9 in 2:36.28.
Liesette Bruinsma won two medals on the opening day and she returned on Friday to take gold in the 400 free S11 in 5:10. Amber van der Kruk took the 100m backstroke S14 in 1:13.15 and Jenna Gorter headed the women’s 200IM SM9 in 3:33.11.