By Sharon Robb
BUDAPEST, Hungary, November 15, 2020—It was a good day for London Roar breaststrokers.
South Florida Aquatic Club’s Alia Atkinson, a four-time Jamaican Olympian and short course world record holder, owned the 100-meter breaststroke which she won in 1:02.66
Atkinson led the race from start to finish, opening in 29.62 and closing in 33.04 to finish with her fastest time of the season. The time is the only sub-1:03 of the season and is quicker Olympic champion Lilly King of Cali Condors has been, with the American holding the former best of the season in 1:03.16.
Atkinson’s fastest of the season entering this race was 1:03.53. On Sunday she was just .3 outside the world record. She picked up 15 jackpot points.
Italian teen Benedetta Pilato of Energy Standard was second, nearly a second back in 1:03.55 for seven points and national record for the Italian.
Reigning Olympic champion Adam Peaty of London Roar broke the world short course record in the 100-meter breaststroke in 55.49. He broke the 11-year-old record of South African Cameron van der Burgh, 55.61 set on Nov. 15 at the 2009 World Cup in Berlin.
Peaty also won the 50-meter breaststroke skins contest to pick up 14 points.
In other notable results:
Siobhan Haughey of Energy Standard won the 100-meter freestyle in a lifetime-best 51.12. She also won the 200 freestyle in 1:51.36.
Teammate Florent Manaudou won the men’s 100-meter freestyle in 45.92.
Chad le Clos, also of Energy Standard, won the 200-meter butterfly in 1:50.64.
London Roar’s Kira Toussaint won the 100-meter backstroke in 55.90.
Michael Andrew of New York Breakers won the 100-meter individual medley in 51.66 for his first win of the season.
After Day Two, Energy Standard was on top 580.0 followed by London Roar, 517.5, Tokyo Frog Kings, 380.5 and New York Breakers, 239.0.
The Match ended the season for first-year team Tokyo Frog Kings and New York Breakers while Energy Standard and London Roar advanced to the final. Two more finalists will be determined after Monday’s second semifinal.
Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com
http://www.swim4soflo.com