FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)

Istanbul – Turkey, Dec 16 (FINA): For the fourth consecutive edition of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), Ryan Lochte (USA) is the winner of the FINA Trophy for best male swimmer, earning an unprecedented eight medals in Istanbul! The swimming superstar already made history two years ago in Dubai (UAE) with seven podium appearances, but this time in the Turkish metropolis, he did even better with an even more impressive roll of honour: 1st 200m Free, 1st 4x100m free, 3rd 100m fly, 1st 4x200m free, 1st 200m IM, 2nd 200m back, 1st 100m IM, and 1st 4x100m medley.

Lochte has now an accumulated total of 30 medals at these championships since his first appearance in Indianapolis in 2004. Moreover, the 11-time medallist at the Olympics was the only swimmer to establish new World Records in Istanbul: firstly in the final of the 200m IM (1:49.63) and then in the semi-finals of the 100m IM (50.71). Lochte’s performances decisively helped USA clinch the title for Best scoring team in Istanbul.

“My overall performance this week was decent, I had a couple of World records and it was an honour. I’m glad I was able to step up for the team. I always feel I can do better”, said Lochte after the event.

Looking ahead, the U.S. champion added: “After the Olympics, I took a two-and-a-half-month break, this was the longest break ever since I was 8 years old. My biggest goal is Rio 2016.” And continued: “I push my body to limits where other athletes are afraid to go to.”

His last word went to his family and fans: “The fans are incredible, they brought me where I am today. I love kids because I am a big kid too. I have to be thankful for my family, they’re my biggest supporters. I’m also thankful for my fans, they’ve given me so much love, especially at this meet.”

Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu was awarded the FINA Trophy for Best female swimmer. She earned five medals in the five-day competition: 1st 200m fly, 3rd 400m IM, 1st 100m IM, 2nd 200m IM, and 2nd 200m free. The winner of the 2012 FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup demonstrated her immense versatility in the pool, ending in the best possible way a fabulous 25m season.

“It feels awesome to be the Champion of the meet. I’m proud that Hungary won so many medals at this competition”, said Hosszu.

Besides these two major stars, other athletes also shined in Istanbul. With three or more appearances in the podium, the following swimmers are worth mentioning:

MEN

Paul BIEDERMANN (GER) – 2nd 200m free, 3rd 4x200m free, 1st 400m free

Laszlo CSEH (HUN) – 2nd 400m IM, 3rd 200m IM, 2nd 200m fly

Stanislav DONETS (RUS) – 2nd 100m back, 3rd 50m back, 2nd 4x100m medley

Tommaso D’ORSOGNA (AUS) – 3rd 4x100m free, 2nd 4x200m free, 2nd 100m free, 3rd 4x100m medley

Matt GREVERS (USA) – 1st 4x100m free, 1st 100m back, 2nd 50m back, 1st 4x100m medley

Robert HURLEY (AUS) – 2nd 4x200m free, 1st 50m back, 3rd 4x100m medley

Vladimir MOROZOV (RUS) – 1st 50m free, 1st 100m free, 2nd 4x100m medley

Thomas SHIELDS (USA) – 2nd 100m fly, 3rd 50m fly, 1st 4x100m medley

Kenneth TO (AUS) – 3rd 4x100m free, 2nd 100m IM, 3rd 4x100m medley

WOMEN

Ruta MEILUTYTE (LTU) – 1st 50m breast, 2nd 100m IM, 1st 100m breast

Mie NIELSEN (DEN) – 2nd 100m back, 1st 4x100m medley, 3rd 4x100m free

Jeanette OTTESEN (DEN) – 3rd 50m fly, 1st 4x100m medley, 3rd 4x100m free, 3rd 50m free

Rikke PEDERSEN (DEN) – 1st 4x100m medley, 3rd 100m breast, 1st 200m breast

Megan ROMANO (USA) – 1st 4x200m free, 2nd 100m free, 3rd 4x100m medley, 1st 4x100m free

Allison SCHMITT (USA) – 1st 4x200m free, 1st 4x100m free, 1st 200m free

Olivia SMOLIGA (USA) – 1st 100m back, 3rd 4x100m medley, 2nd 50m back

NF GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL: