The fourth day of the World Junior Swimming Championships 2023 in Israel saw Team USA claim seven medals, including three gold, three silver, and one bronze. The American swimmers also set two championship records in the women’s 200m individual medley and the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay events.
Leah Hayes breaks championship record in women’s 200m individual medley
Leah Hayes secured her second gold medal and her second championship record of the World Junior Swimming Championships 2023. She won the women’s 200m individual medley event with a stunning time of 2:10.13, breaking the previous record of 2:10.57 set by Japan’s Rikako Ikee in 2017.
Hayes led the race from start to finish, showing her versatility and strength in all four strokes. She was followed by her teammate Justina Kozan, who took the silver medal with a time of 2:11.55. The bronze medal went to Japan’s Miyu Namba, who clocked 2:12.77.
Hayes had also won the gold medal and set a championship record in the women’s 400m individual medley on the first day of the competition. She is one of the most successful swimmers of the World Junior Swimming Championships 2023 so far, with four medals in total.
Miroslav Knedla edges out Oleksandr Zheltiakov in men’s 50m backstroke
Miroslav Knedla of Slovakia claimed his first gold medal of the World Junior Swimming Championships 2023 as he swam to victory in the men’s 50m backstroke event. He edged out Ukraine’s Oleksandr Zheltiakov, who had beaten him in the men’s 100m backstroke final on the previous day.
Knedla clocked a time of 24.80 to take home the gold medal, while Zheltiakov finished in second place with a time of 24.91. The bronze medal went to Italy’s Thomas Ceccon, who touched the wall in 25.02.
Knedla had also won a silver medal in the men’s 4x100m medley relay on Day 3, along with his teammates Jakub Klimo, Patrik Kozma, and Adam Zajac. He is one of the fastest backstrokers in the world junior ranks and has a bright future ahead of him.
Team USA sets championship record in mixed 4x100m freestyle relay
The final event of Day 4 was the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay, which saw Team USA set a new championship record with a time of 3:25.92. The American quartet of Josh Zuchowski, Claire Curzan, Matt Fallon, and Torri Huske combined their speed and skills to beat the previous record of 3:26.65 set by Australia in 2019.
Team USA was challenged by Russia, who took the silver medal with a time of 3:26.67. The Russian team consisted of Andrei Minakov, Anastasia Markova, Evgeny Rylov, and Arina Surkova. The bronze medal went to Australia, who clocked 3:27.34 with their team of Thomas Neill, Meg Harris, Elijah Winnington, and Mollie O’Callaghan.
The mixed 4x100m freestyle relay was introduced at the World Junior Swimming Championships in 2015 and has been a popular and exciting event ever since. It showcases the diversity and depth of talent among the young swimmers from different countries.
