PR 103 – Record of WR in Doha 2014!

Doha (QAT), December 7, 2014 - After registering a record of participation, with 950 swimmers coming from 172 nations, the 12th edition of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) taking place in Doha (QAT) from December 3-7, 2014 was also impressive in terms of performances: no less than 23 World Records were set in the Qatari capital, largely improving the previous maximum of 18 best global marks, established in Manchester (GBR), in 2008. From this list, 14 WR were on individual events, while nine were improved in relay action.

Individually, and some days after being awarded the title of FINA Best Swimmers in 2014, Chad Le Clos (RSA) and Katinka Hosszu (HUN) were also the athletes shining the most in the Hamad Aquatic Centre of the Qatari capital. At the conclusion of the five-day competition, the South African star and the Magyar champion received the Trophy for the Best Male and Female Swimmer of the competition, respectively, after delivering great performances.

Hosszu entered in the history of the event, by earning eight individual medals, the highest number ever among women. The results of Hosszu in Doha were impressive: four wins accompanied by WR performances in the 100m and 200 back, 100m and 200m IM, silver medals in the 200m free, 200m fly and 400m IM, and one bronze in the 50m back.

In the men’s field, Le Clos statistics are also outstanding. The South African leaves Doha with four individual titles, in the 200m free, 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly, with a WR in the 100m. Moreover, he is the first male swimmer ever to win the three butterfly events in a single edition of the championships.

In the medal chart, the leader was Brazil, with a total of 10 awards, seven of them in gold. Two athletes were in evidence in the South American delegation: Felipe França Silva, winner in the 50m and 100m breast, and also part of the victorious 4x50m medley, 4x100m medley and mixed 4x50m medley; and Cesar Cielo, also a five-time medallist for Brazil, namely triumphing in the 100m free. The results of Hosszu largely contributed to the second position of Hungary in the medal distribution, with six gold, three silver and two bronze. The top-five was completed by the Netherlands (5+1+6), South Africa (4 gold, 1 silver) and Spain (four gold medals, all going to Mireia Belmonte).

The Team Trophy of the Championships was presented to United States, with its team finishing the competition with the highest number medals: 17 (two gold, nine silver and six bronze).