Four world junior records were set on the first day of the 2014 Russian Swimming Champioships

Volgograd athlete Evgeny Sedov became the champion of Russia in the 50m butterfly, breaking the world junior record in each of his swims (23.56 – 23.30 – 23.28 seconds). Nikita Konovalov became the silver medalist (23.45), Evgeny Koptelov became the bronze prize winner (23.92). In addition, Evgeny Sedov was the only one of the Russian Championships finalists, who reached the qualifying standard for the European Championship in the event (23.37).

“I want to break the Russian record, set by Evgeny Korotyshkin. I am a little disappointed, but still I am happy with the result – said Evgeny Sedov. – Youth Olympic Games remain the priority for me. They will be held  simultaneously with the European championships, where I will have twenty-four starts in four days – six starts per day.  I do not know yet, what my coach will decide, but I would like to perform at both championships”.

Daria Ustinova who set a new world junior record — 2:09.02 advanced to the finals in the 200m backstroke.

The representative of the Republic of Tatarstan Yana Martynova became the first to   qualify for the European Aquatics Championships. She reached the qualifying standard in the 400m medley with centisecond accuracy — 4:42.00.

“It’s not the first time that I reach the qualifying standatd with centisecond accuracy. The same thing happened when I qualified for the Universiade. But today I got very upset — I was ready to swim much faster. Two weeks ago, I returned from America. I was 200 percent ready. We’ll see what result I will show tomorrow – said the athlete. – I am very glad to have qualified for the European Championship. I do not know yet where I will prepare for it. My coach  is on maternity leave. Let her devote this time to the baby. We’re 20 years together, and it’s hard for her. America was a great experience, but my coach Gulnara Aminova is not enough for me”.

Evgeny Kulikov from Moscow won the 400 meter freestyle in a time of 3 minutes 51.39 seconds. Second place went to Alexander Fedorov (3:51.95) and Dmitry Ermakov became the third prize winner (3:52.98).

“The result is unsatisfactory, so I am not experiencing enough positive emotions – said Evgeny Kulikov. – Competition has increased – Sasha Fedorov turned out to be a fine fellow, he’s getting better and I am very glad for him. Combined competitions are good for those who are younger, but it didn’t help me today – my result hasn’t increased. Actually, this was a difficult year — I had problems with my shoulder – it all gave bad results”. 

Anna Belousova won the 50 meter breaststroke in a time of 31.48 seconds. Second place went to Darya Deeva (31.82) and Valentina Artemieva took third place (31.89). Anastasia Chaun was disqualified for breaking the rules.

Elizaveta Gorshkova won the 800 meter freestyle at the Russian championship (8:42.15), beating Anastasia Ivanenko (8:47.30) and a young athlete Arina Openysheva (8:53.23).

Men’s and women’s teams of St. Petersburg won the 4x100m crawl relay at the Championship of Russia.

Russian swimmig championships and national swimmig championships will last until May 17. Seven hundred and twenty athletes from 70 regions of Russia sent applications for the Tournament. According to tradition the Championships is open to foreign athletes and according to the International Swimming Federation it will serve as qualification standards for the FINA World Cup, which will be held in Kazan in 2015.

As for this season, this tournament will become a qualifying competition for the European Aquatics Championships in Berlin (13-24 August), European Junior Swimming Championships, that will take place in Dordrecht, Holland (July 9-13) and the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China (16-28 August).