Russia Favorably Positioned in Medley Relay for World Championships
At last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, China exited La Defense Arena with its first gold medal in a men’s relay event. The foursome of Xu Jiayu, Qin Haiyang, Sun Jiajun and Pan Zhanle clocked a time of 3:27.46 to defeat the United States, which registered a mark of 3:28.01. The bronze medal went to France in 3:28.38.
Pan was the X-factor for China, as he followed up his Olympic title and world record of 46.40 in the 100 freestyle with the fastest split of all-time for the 100 free. Pan closed out China’s triumph with a split of 45.92, a leg that rallied China from behind.
Why rehash what unfolded at the Olympics? In a few months in Singapore, which will host the World Championships, expect Russia to contend for gold in the medley relay.
Last week, the Russian Championships produced several eye-opening performances, including efforts that will make for a potent medley relay. The front of the relay features multiple options, notably Kliment Kolesnikov (52.08) and Miron Lifintsev (52.15) on backstroke, and Kirill Prigoda on breaststroke. Prigoda split 57.89 in relay duty at the Russian Champs.
On the back half of the relay, Andrei Minakov just clocked 50.89 to set a national record in the 100 butterfly while Egor Kornev was as fast as 47.42 in the 100 freestyle in Kazan. Put it all together, and account for relay takeovers, and Russia has the potential to be in 3:27 territory, if not faster.
Russia is expected to field a strong men’s squad in Singapore, although it will compete under a Neutral Athletes banner, due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Having been largely out of the spotlight over the past few years, look for motivated Russian athletes in Singapore, and a relay victory would be a major statement.
Pan ZL was the so-called “X factor” in the Gold relay race in Paris only bcz Sun JJ was the “weak link” in that event; both Xu JY & Qin HY would’ve each won GOLD in their respective backstroke & breaststroke legs in that event.