MEDAL TABLE 1 CHN 14 10 8 32 2 USA 9 6 5 20 3 RUS 9 4 2 15

The FINA World Championships

Herald - 2015 Friday, 7 August № 

Winning smiles

IT’S SELFIE TIME ON THE PODIUM AFTER THE WOMEN’S XM FREE The Katie Ledecky bandwagon keeps make it three straight wins in this But while Ledecky’s medal-winning on rolling as the 18-year-old star event for the Americans. form continues, namesake Katie anchored team USA to gold in the ’s Federica Pellegrini produced a McLaughlin was the star swimmer. 4x200m freestyle relay – and took powerful anchor leg to lead Italy to She swam the third leg barely an hour her personal tally to four titles. silver while took bronze to pick after her 200m butterfl y fi nal and A quartet that blended youth and up their sixth medal of the day and did a great job to claw back experience was good enough to roll extend their overall lead in the World much of ’s 2.5 second l P back a fast start from Sweden to Championships medal table. ead. >>>>>> 56

The FINA World Championships Herald-2015 Friday, August 7, 2015 MARIYA KISELYOVA, triple Olympic Champion: “ deserves an ‘A’ grade for the way it’s hosted the World Championships. Indeed, you could even give it an ‘A+’ to show how well everything has gone. Over the past few years, while preparing for Universiade and these championships, DAY  the city has done so much to make itself a truly sporting place – not just in terms of facilities but also in the spirit of the people.”

WATER POLO VOLUNTEERS Text and photos by Artem Kuznetsov “It’s a really cool event!” There are 2,500 volunteers working at the FINA World Championships in Kazan. The “Herald” asked some of the main helpers of the competition about their work and their impressions of the event.

Georgiy Rudakov, Novosibirsk, timer:

I work in the timing, typing up game stats at the . Those stats are then dis- played on the TV screens. Everything about this is great. It’s a brand new experience for me because I’m young and it’s the first time I’ve worked on such a big project. I’m inter- ested in everything, I like everything here. I think this experience will be useful for me because some day I can tell people: ‘When I was just 18 I worked at the World Champi- onships in Kazan!

By Andy Potts, photo:Rinat Nazmetdinov Alexander Alekseev, Saratov, BALKAN RIVALS READY snow leopard Itil:

I’m Itil, one of the official mascots of the World TO GO FOR GOLD Championships. Is it difficult? Yes and no. It’s The men’s water polo tournament is set for a mouth-watering fi nale as Olympic champions tough to spend six hours in a hot, sweaty costume, even if we have a rest every half will take on World Cup and World League winners Serbia on Saturday. an hour. But I don’t really get tired. People are always coming over, asking me to pose roatia earned their place with a shoot- pass on 1:42 then with just 27 seconds to play That left coach Dejan Savic savouring the for photos. I must have been in 200 pictures out win over a resilient Greek team Christodoulos Kolomvos levelled the scores. final. “It’s going to be great,” he said. “These every day! I’m having a great time. This is a Cthat battled back to tie in regulation, That meant a shoot-out and a chance for are the two best teams in the championship. really cool event. while Serbia took an early stranglehold on its Greece to repeat its narrow win over Austral- Today we started strongly and were very good game with Italy, opening up a 4-0 lead before ia in the last eight. But there was no repeat of in the first two periods. After that it was easy winning 10-6. that success: Croatia missed nothing and Io- to hold on until the end.” Italy and Greece meet in the bronze-med- annis Fountoulis, with 14 goals in Kazan, failed His captain, Zivko Gocic, was also happy but Yana Korobeiynikova, al game with the additional prize of Olympic on the decisive attempt for Greece. warned that Croatia would be a big test. “We Kirov, qualification also up for grabs. The two final- Croatia goalie Josip Pavic said: “We’ve done were very, very good,” he said. “But believe me, snow leopard Alsu: ists are already on their way to Rio. what we wanted this summer – win a med- it will be totally different against Croatia. We The first semi turned into an epic as Cro- al and qualify for the Olympics. We’ve done are two nations from the same school. But we atia and Greece tied 10-10 in regulation. At that and we’re happy. Now we’ll start think- need to win just one more game to take the first it seemed that the Croats would pro- ing about the final but it was tough last night. gold medal.” gress without any great alarm: they opened We couldn’t finish off Greece because they’re Two further classification stages were com- up an early 2-0 lead and stretched that lead a great team. It went all the way to penalties pleted. beat to ninth place and I found out about the Championships while to 4-1 and 5-2 thanks to Paulo Obradovic and but we had prepared for that.” Kazakhstan took 11th ahead of South Africa. I was studying at university. It’s my second Petar Muslim. Serbia had a relatively smooth passage Today sees the finals of the women’s com- time here – I was at the Universiade and I But the Greeks hit back before half time to through the second semi and has erased the dis- petition with red-hot favourites the USA tak- love Kazan. I really enjoy being a mascot and reduce the arrears to a single goal before the appointments of a seventh-placed finish in 2013. ing on the in the gold-medal game last time I was a snow leopard again. It’s teams traded scores early in the second half. A powerful first quarter saw the Serbs open at 10pm. nice. I spend a lot of time playing with the Croatia seemed to have weathered the storm up a 4-0 lead, and that proved to be unassail- Victory for the Americans would see the children and I love it when they smile at me when they went 10-8 ahead deep in the third able. The Italians battled to keep the score re- team make history, becoming the first ever to and hug me. The most spectacular event, for thanks to Sandro Sukno’s fast shot from out- spectable and attempted to make a game of hold the Olympic, World Championship, World me, was the rehearsal of the opening cere- side, but Greece wasn’t finished. That two-goal it in the second half, closing a 2-8 half-time Cup and World League titles simultaneously. mony. It didn’t feel like a rehearsal for me, it lead evaporated in the final period: Emmanouil deficit to 4-9 but never really getting close to The bronze-medal game pits lifted my spirit. I felt that I was where I tru- Mylonakis made it 9-10 off a beautiful cross ruffling Serbia’s feathers. against Italy at 8:30pm. ly wanted to be. The FINA World Championships Herald - 2015 Friday, August 7, 2015

SWIMMING PREVIEW By Matthew Luxmoore and Aly Keita photo Ramil Gilvanov 22 seconds from glory – By Aly Keita Manaudou meets Morozov It’s shoot-out time: a single length of the pool to determine the men’s 50m freestyle gold. Russian hopes are pinned on Vladimir Morozov while ’s defending champion Florent Manaudou is the man to beat.

head of today’s heats we spoke start, ready to go. It’s uncomfortable to to a swimmer who knows all stand there and wait, it’s hard on the Aabout winning sprint medals – hamstrings. So for Morozov’s false start, Men. 200m IM. France’s Frédérick Bousquet, a double he went early but the starter took a long European champion in the 50m free time to send them away. As for the pres- 1:55.81 USA who is working as a commentator for sure, I don’t think that’s an issue. Mo- French TV here – to run the rule over rozov has spent a long time in the USA, Brazil Thiago 1:56.65 Pereira the pretenders to the sprinting crown. he’s “Americanized” his performance and We’re all looking forward to today’s he’s used to dealing with stress and pres- 1:56.81 China head-to-head between Morozov and sure. But of course he wants to show Manaudou. Can you analyse their his best form in his own country. Could strengths and weaknesses? that push him into a mistake? Let’s see … Men. 100m free. First we can’t overlook Cesar Cielo’s Which other swimmers have im- withdrawal. It’s a huge surprise because pressed you in Kazan ? 47.84 China Ning Zetao we didn’t expect him to give up before the We are seeing the star swimmers us- race even though we knew he had prob- ing this event as a springboard towards Australia Cameron 47.95 McEvoy lems with his shoulders. But without the the Olympics next year so we are get- Brazilian in the race, it opens the way for ting some performances from people like Argentina Federico 48.12 Grabich the Morozov-Manaudou battle. Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky – she’s They are both great sprinters and really awesome in the middle distance great competitors. I think maybe Mo- races. The head-to-head with [Adam] Women. 200m butterfl y. rozov has a slight advantage here be- Peaty and [Cameron] van der Burgh in the cause he is a more aggressive swimmer breast was magnifi cent as well. If some Natsumi 2:05.56 Japan Hoshi and being at home can be a huge bo- of the results haven’t been as good as we nus. We saw that in the women’s 100m might expect, we have to remember that Camille 2:06.40 USA Adams breast when the crowd pushed Yuliya the athletes are starting to focus on the Efi mova to victory in the second half of Olympics and they are trying to set up 2:06.51 China Zhang Yufei the race. But for me, in all other areas, their skills and try out new techniques – it’s advantage Manaudou! His fi tness, his like Lochte and his new turn. That’s why form – he’s been under 22 seconds fi ve the results here are good, but not out- Women. 50m back. times this season – give him the edge. standing. Plus he’s full of confi dence with two gold How do you feel about Kazan as a WINNING SMILES China Fu Yuanhai 27.11 medals already, while Morozov didn’t get host city? Did you ever get to swim a medal in his relays and was disqualifi ed in a football stadium ? Brazil Etiene Cont. from page 1 America’s two golds were matched 27.26 Medeiros in the 100m. If Florent can stay focused Unfortunately I’ve never competed by China with Ning Zetao winning the and believe in himself, I cannot see a way anywhere like this, but it’s something I’d Lio Xiang “Katie’s last 50m was great,” said men’s 100m free and Fu Yuanhai and 27.58 China for Morozov to stop him. dream of doing – especially now tem- Ledecky. “When she turned I saw we Lio Xiang taking gold and bronze in the Do you think the home support is porary pools are used in international were behind and I got a bit nervous but women’s 50m free. putting too much pressure on Mo- events. For me it’s a great idea to put when I dove in the girl was right next Ning became the fi rst ever Asian Women. 4x200m freestyle relay rozov? an Olympic pool in a football stadium, to me and I knew we could get the swimmer to win his event, edging out Of course his false start in the 100m it makes perfect sense. And in Kazan job done. It’s a big shout out to Katie pre-race favourite Cameron McEvoy of 7:45.37 USA was a huge shock. But throughout the they’ve done a wonderful job to make – she’s had an incredible week and she Australia. Argentina’s Federico Grabich competition I’ve been unhappy with the this happen. It’s important for the ath- got up there and raced.” became his country’s fi rst ever FINA 7:48.41 Italy starters. They wait a bit too long. I’m not letes when the stands are full and the McLaughlin admitted that two races World Championships medalist in the making any excuses for Morozov, but crowd is excited right from the start. It in the day were tough. “I was feeling pool. 7:49.10 China those blocks have a steep incline and gives you more energy and determina- the strain but I had enough adrenaline “I’ll never forget this day, as I had we swimmers are balanced there at the tion before the race. to drown it out,” she said. a chance to compete against all the If the relay was about bright top swimmers in one place,” Ning said. SPORTING PRESS young prospects, the fi rst American “I’m very happy to have been able to gold of the day went to old-stager attain such a result. I had a dream that Ryan Lochte. He justifi ed his status as I got the gold medal, but today when favourite in the men’s 200m IM, holding I touched the wall I didn’t even know o Brazil’s Thiago Pereira and China’s I had done it, I only realised when I Wang Shun to claim his fourth world looked at the result.” title in this event. In the 50m back Fu was tantalisingly He recalled in particular his battles close to taking ’s world record – and close relationship – with team- as she powered to victory. The Chinese mate . swimmers were separated on the “Either today or 2011, when I broke podium by Brazil’s Etiene Medeiros, the world record, was my most who became the fi rst South American memorable performance. I’m humbled woman to win a medal in about getting that win tonight, and Kazan. hopefully I got the ball rolling for team Natsumi Hoshi made history in USA,” he said. women’s 200m butterfl y. She becomes “When Michael says something, it the fi rst ever Japanese woman to win means a lot to any swimmer. He is the gold at this level and broke China’s greatest and he told me I had to go out recent dominance in this event. and lead team USA to the top. I’m not America’s Camille Adams took silver the new kid any more, I’m the oldest. while Zhang Yufei’s bronze put China I have to lead.” on the podium in all of Thursday’s races. As the team’s elder statesman, An emotional Hoshi was the centre Lochte is also excited by Ledecky, who of attention: “After the race I didn’t feel he described as “a beast”. it was real, but when I stood on the “I’m glad I was able to do my part top of the podium it dawned on me. I Photo Ramil Gilvanov for the team after Katie’s performances. touched the wall, and when I saw that Journalists at the Worlds have also been racing in the championship pool. Yesterday Kazan Arena hosted the There’s only one word I can use to my teammates look happy I started Omega Media Race. Assorted sporting scribes raced over 50m, and were not judged on speed alone but also on describe her – she’s phenomenal. She’s slowly coming back to reality. Then I how accurately they could predict their times. The closer they swam to their expected mark, the better a beast. Every time she sets foot in that saw a former teammate and burst their chances of victory. In total 119 journalists took part in the race; the medals went to Brazil’s Mayra Siqueira, water she breaks a world record,” he said. into tears,” she said. ’s Evgenii Korotyshkin amd Japan’s Ayari Aoyama. The FINA World Championships Herald - 2015 Friday, August 7, 2015 Water of Life

SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING. MASTERS By Daria Turceva, photo: Rinat Nazmetdinov SCHEDULE

TIME EVENT 7 AUGUST SWIMMING 17.32 Women’s 100m freestyle Final

17.40 Men’s 200m back Final

18.25 Women’s 200m breast Final

18.55 Men’s 200m breast Final

19.11 Men’s 4x200m freestyle Final

WATER POLO. WOMEN

14.00 Spain – Russia 7-8 places

15.30 China – Greece 5-6 places

20.30 Australia – Italy bronze medal game

22.00 USA – Netherlands gold medal game

23.20 Medal Ceremony

MASTERS. SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING

10.00 Women’s team tech program Final By Daria Turceva, (Akcharlak) photo: Rinat Nazmetdinov MASTERS. OPEN WATER SWIMMING NO LIMITS! 9.00 Men/women 3km 25-29 Final 9.20 Men/women 3 km 30-34 Final A neurologist from Russia and champion 9.40 Men/women 3km 35-39 Final twins from Japan: in the Masters everyone is welcome to join in the fun 10.00 Men/women 3km 40-44 Final

10.20 Men/women 3km 65-69 Final he second day of Masters com- group, a Russian duo in their 30s and work commitments, they continue petition was dedicated to the a Japanese team in the 25-29 years to share their hobby and devised 10.20 Men/women 3km 70-74 Final Tsynchronised swimming duets. section. This means that every entrant a program by themselves for this Even though not all of the participants was guaranteed a medal. competition. 10.20 Men/women 3km 75-79 Final had ever swum professionally, the in- The most spectacular performance “We enjoy watching the per- terest was so great that not everyone came from the Japanese twins, formance of the Russian synchronised 10.20 Men/women 3km 80-84 Final could get a seat. Volunteers had to turn Saya and Maya Kimura from Tokyo. swimming team,” said Larisa. “Of away latecomers because the Akchar- They have a wealth of international course, we can’t do all the things that 10.50 Men/women 3km 45-49 Final lack pool was full. experience, including representing their they do, but we tried to adopt some of “It’s a pity, we came here from the country at past World Championships. their tricks to make our performance 11.10 Men/women 3km 50-54 Final other end of the city and we wanted Now, having handed over the pro more interesting.” to see the competitions,” said one baton to the next generation they are The swimmers live in Gatchina, near 11.30 Men/women 3km 55-59 Final disappointed visitor, Marina Abdullina. continuing to compete at the Masters. St. Petersburg. Larisa works in the local She came to the event with her “We are here because we want to authority where she helps to develop 11.50 Men/women 3km 60-64 Final son. show people how beautiful our sport sporting opportunities for children Consolation was at hand: after is,” coach Hiroshi Omigawa explained. while Snezhana is a neurologist. She the morning technical program she “We want to see professional athletes advises all her patients to swim. could return for the free competition continue with their sports even after “Things like running, aerobics, step after lunch and, if she was there retirement, for their own pleasure and aerobics all put a big strain on the PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES IN early enough, she would get a good for the pleasure of their fans.” joints but when we are in the water seat. And admission is free of charge For Hiroshi, Maya and Saya it’s the our joints are not stressed,” she said. THE FINA WATER WORLD PARK for everyone. Most events are fast- fi rst trip to Russia. They are enjoying “All the muscle groups get a work out. paced: there are rarely more than 10 Kazan, especially the cosmopolitan “Maybe not everyone can do August 7 competitors, they have a shortened atmosphere in the city. They were synchronised swimming, because it program and the judges award the also impressed with the excellent needs gymnastics and acrobatics as 12.00 Afternoon concert program, work-outs, competitions and live scores quickly so the show can be organisation of the championships well, but anyone can start with water broadcasts of the Championships on the big screen fi nished inside half an hour. “People in Kazan are really friendly, aerobics and move on to swimming. 17.00- On the second day of the everyone smiles all the time,” said Start by training for 30 minutes a day, 18.00 Concert with the top ensembles from Tatarstan and Russia championships there were six duets Maya. “The volunteers are ace, they and gradually build it up to an hour.” competing for medals in four age help us a lot. I’ll come back again, I Larisa also noticed that sports help 18.00- 19.00 “KVN” comedy festival involving teams from Tatarstan categories. There were two couples promise!” her patients look younger. Maybe from the UK and one from Belgium Larisa Titova and Snezhana those who follow Dr. Nikandrova’s 19.00- Finals of the “Championships rhythms” dance festival in the biggest competition, the 50- Nikandrova represented Russia. They prescription will be back at the next 21.00 59 years age group. The other age began swimming when they were Masters to compete for a medal. After groups had just one pair each – a seven and formed a duet when they all, in this competition there are truly 21.00- “Dancing underwater”, show by the Iskusheniye dance theatre 22.00 of St. Petersburg German couple in the 40-49 years were 16. Even now, despite family and no limits.

The Executive Founder and publisher: AO Tatmedia 2 Akademicheskaya Ul., Kazan 420097 «World Championships Herald-2015» The newspaper was registered on March 15, 2013 with the management of the Federal Service for the overview of O cal publication of the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan Directorate for communications, information technology and mass media of the Republic of Tatarstan. License number TU 16-01383 Editor in chief, Sports Projects is an Editorial address The newspaper is printed at Tatmedia’s print house, PIK Idel-Press: project director 2, Dekabristov Ul., Kazan 420066 o cial organizer of 2 Ul. Dekabristov, Kazan. Confi rmed for publication: scheduled 02.00, signed 00.00 A.N. Adiyatova Print run - 1500 copies. Order number 9734 e-mail: [email protected] the 16th FINA World Editor (English language) The opinion of individual contributors does not always refl ect the opinion of the publisher. Material can only be reproduced Andy Potts Telephone: (843) 222-09-85 (extn. 2013) Championships with the written permission of the publisher. Distributed free of charge. Some material may be unsuitable for under 16s.