Danila Izotov, one of the most dangerous men for double world champion Paul Biedermann in Budapest at Euro titles next month, is on the move. At the Russian Open celebrating the "100 best swimmers of Russia 2010, an event that took place in the midst of a National Training Camp, July 17-18 in Moscow, the teenage freestyle ace clocked times of 22.87, 49.78 and 1:48.91 over 50m to 200m freestyle.
The 50m free indicates a growing sharpness: his latest efforts compare to previous season bests of 23.24, 48.88 and 1:48.31, clocked when tapered for Russian trials in May. Izotov's taper for Budapest, where racing gets underway in August 9, is just beginning. His 200m free delivered victory over Evgeni Lagunov (1.50.51) and Michail Polishchuk (1.51.86), while Izotov finished second in the 100m, behind Evgeni Lagunov, on 49.47, and ahead of Andrei Grechin, on 50.08; and third in the 50m, won by Grechin, on 22.44, with Lagunov second on 22.54. Nikolai Skvortsov won all three 'fly events, in 24.25, 53.46 and 1.59.72.
Among women, Valentina Artemyeva clocked solid efforts of 31.79 and 1.08.61 in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, while Anastasia Chaun got past her over 200m, 2.26.73 to 2.28.93. Their closest domestic rival, Yulia Efimova, avoided her specialist stroke, solo, to swim a 58.11 100m free for 9th place and a 2:19.56 medley for 4th place in a race won by Darya Belyakina on 2.15.01, ahead of Veronika Popova, 2.15.32. Backstroke ace Anastasia Zueva won the 50m backstroke in 28.92 but did not race the longer distances. Irina Bespalova took the 50m and 100m 'fly in 27.73 and 59.34.
The final countdown to Margaret Island has begun for a continental powerhouse with head coach Andrei Vorontsov at the helm.
Winners at a glance (extended results to be found in the SwimNews World Rankings), 50m, 100m, 200m each stroke plus 200m medley:
- Men
- Freestyle
- Andrei Grechin – 22,44.
- Evgeni Lagunov – 49,47.
- Danila Izotov – 1.48,91
- Backstroke
- Anton Butymov – 26,25.
- Stanislav Donets – 55,89.
- Artem Dubovskoy – 2.01.93
- Breaststroke
- Alexandre Triznov – 28,67.
- Evgeni Ryzhkov (Kazakhstan) – 1.02,23.
- Evgeni Ryzhkov (Kazakhstan) – 2.15,27
- Butterfly
- Nikolai Skvortsov – 24,25.
- Nikolai Skvortsov – 53,46.
- Nikolai Skvortsov – 1.59,72
- Medley
- Alexandre Tikhonov – 2.03,23.
- Women
- Freestyle
- 50m: Svetlana Fedulova – 25,88.
- 100m: Veronika Popova - 55.85
- 200m Veronika Popova – 2.00,21
- Irina Bespalova – 27,73.
- Irina Bespalova – 59,34.
- Yana Martynova – 2.13,85
- Breaststroke
- Valentina Artemieva – 31,79.
- Valentina Artemieva – 1.08,61.
- Anastasiya Chaun – 2.26,73
- Backstroke
- Anastasiya Zueva – 28,92.
- Maria Gromova – 1.01,87.
- Christina Kochetkova – 2.17,28
- Medley
- Darya Belyakina – 2.15,01.
