We’re back for the second finals session at the Toronto stop on the 2022 FINA World Cup circuit. It’s another packed session, with 11 medal rounds. Both Summer McIntoshand Katie Ledeckyare back in action with doubles, though they won’t go head-to-head.
McIntosh takes on the 400 IM, which she won at both Worlds and Commonwealth Games this summer, the latter in world junior record time. She hacked five seconds off her lifetime best to win 400 free on Night 1, setting world junior and world cup records in the process. Later in the session, she’ll swim the 100 back, where she avoided a swim-off for a lane as Maggie MacNeilscratched to focus on the 50 fly.
Ledecky is set to race the 1500 free, where the big question on everyone’s mind is if Sarah Kohler‘s 15:18.01 world record is on borrowed time. Ledecky finished second to McIntosh in a thrilling 400 free race with a lifetime best 3:52.88, breaking her old American record. On the back end of her double, she has the 200 free. There, she’ll face world record Siobhan Haughey, who won the event in Berlin with a 1:51.36.
One of the most anticipated events on the men’s side is the 200 IM, where Shaine Casasand Matt Satesare separated by only .04 seconds. Casas never trailed on Night 1 on the way to his wins in the 200 back and 100 IM. He holds the edge over Sates after prelims in 1:54.23. For his part, Sates won this event last weekend in Berlin in 1:51.64 and will be eager to keep his lead in the points standings.
Women’s 400 IM – Fastest Heat
World Record 4:18.94, Mireia Belmonte (ESP) – 2017
World Junior Record: 4:23.33 benchmark
World Cup Record: 4:18.94, Mireia Belmonte (ESP) – 2017
The Canadian women picked up right where they left off after a dominant night one, sweeping the podium of the women’s 400 IM. After winning an electric race in the 400 freestyle in world junior and world cup record time, Summer McIntoshonce again smashed another world junior record. Her 4:21.49 blows by the benchmark world junior record, as well as the Canadian record of 4:23.68 which was held by Sydney Pickrem.
Hali Flickingerkept it close between her and McIntosh on the fly leg, but McIntosh distanced herself from the American (and the rest of the field) over the backstroke leg. She was actually ahead of world record pace through the backstroke, though Belmonte swam away from her on the breaststroke.
Pickrem used a strong breaststroke leg to power herself into second place. Post-race, she talked about how she knows there’s been some doubts about her breaststroke strength, so it meant a lot to use it effectively in this race. Rounding out the podium for the Canadians was Bailey Andison, who touched in 4:29.36.
Women’s 1500 Free – Fastest Heat
World Record: 15:18.01, Sarah Kohler (GER) – 2019
World Junior Record: 15:45.29, Merve Tuncel (TUR) – 2020
Katie Ledeckyobliterated the world record in the women’s 1500 freestyle by almost ten seconds. She blazed to a 15:08.24, taking out Sarah Kohler‘s previous mark of 15:18.01. Ledecky waste no time getting out ahead of the world record; she quickly separated herself from Kohler’s pace and the rest of the field. This is her first world record since 2018, when she set the record in the LCM 1500 freestyle. In addition, her 800 free split of 8:00.58 almost broke the world record in that race as well, and crushes the American record which Leah Smith owned in 8:07.67.
Brazil’s Beatriz Dizottitook second behind Ledecky in 15:48.82, while Canada continued their podium success, with Laile Oravsky getting on the podium in third with 16:16.86.
Men’s 50 Back – Finals
World Record: 22.22, Florent Manaudou (FRA) – 2014
World Junior Record: 22.77, Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) – 2018
World Cup Record: 22.61, Peter Marshall (USA) – 2009
Dylan Carterkept up his winning ways, earning first in the men’s 50 backstroke. Coming off the turn, he surged ahead of the field, getting his hand on the wall in 22.94, which is a lifetime best and Trinidad and Tobago record. It erases the old mark, which he owned in 23.15 from his win last week in Berlin.
Carter was the only man under 23 seconds, as second place Kacper Stokowski earned second in 23.01. American Justin Ress, the world champion in the long course edition of this race, earned third in 23.07.
Siobhan Haugheytook a shot at her own world record in the women’s 200 freestyle. At the 100-meter mark, she was out under world record pace, though she fell off and eventually touched in 1:51.13. However, it’s still a positive sign for Haughey as it’s not only faster than the 1:51.36 she went to win the race in Berlin, it’s also a nice rebound swim after she added two seconds from last weekend last night in the 400 freestyle.
After barely having time to do a couple warmdown laps post-1500 freestyle world record, Ledecky put together a solid race here, earning second in 1:52.31. She was running third behind Madi Wilsonat the beginning of the race, but made a final push at the end to separate herself from Wilson. The Australian rounded out the podium in 1:53.49.
Men’s 200 IM – Finals
World Record: 1:49.63, Ryan Lochte (USA) – 2012
World Junior Record: 1:51.45, Matt Sates (RSA) – 2021
World Cup Record: 1:50.66, Daiya Seto (JPN) – 2021
Shaine Casas has been dominant so far in Toronto and he continued that streak in the men’s 200 IM. He earned the win here with a 1:50.37, a world cup record and more than two and a half seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Over his three individual events at this meet, Casas has yet to trail at any point in any race.
Behind him, there was a thrilling race for second and third, as Finlay Knox, Trenton Julian, and Matt Sateswere all bunched together as they came down the home stretch in the freestyle leg. Knox, who turned at the 150 mark in fourth, came home in 26.66, the fastest freestyle split in the field, to take second in 1:52.75. Knox was just off his Canadian record of 1:52.32. Just .06 seconds behind him, Julian took third in 1:52.81.
Sates, who won this race in Berlin, fell to off the podium and finished fourth in 1:52.89.
It was an exact repeat of the women’s 100 back podium in Berlin, as Beata Nelson, Kylie Masse, and Ingrid Wilmall took the same spots on the podium tonight in Toronto. Nelson took the win for the second time in this event, faster than she was last weekend and getting under 56 seconds. Her time of 55.75 is one-hundredth off her lifetime best 55.74, which she set in December 2021.
After earning second and third on night 1 in the 50 backstroke, Masse and Wilm earned those positions here in the 100. Masse clocked 56.16, with Wilm just behind in 56.21.
Men’s 50 Breast – Finals
World Record: 24.95, Emre Sakci (TUR) – 2021
World Junior Record: 25.85, Simone Cerasuolo (ITA) – 2017
World Cup Record: 25.25, Cameron van der Burgh (RSA) – 2009
Once again, it was Nic Finktaking the win in the men’s 50 breaststroke. He’s now won all five breaststroke events that have been offered at the 2022 World Cup circuit, with the 200 breast on tap for tomorrow. Another positive for Fink was that he was faster here in Toronto than he was in Berlin, 25.78 to 25.86.
After taking second in the 100 breast last night, Caspar Corbeau, who swims collegiately at the University of Texas, earned second once again here in the 50. He touched in 26.15, which is a lifetime best for him as it betters the mark of 26.55 he set in prelims. Brazil got on the podium for the second time tonight as 36-year-old Joao Gomes Jr. earned third in 26.34.
Women’s 50 Fly – Finals
World Record: 24.38, Therese Alshammar (SWE) – 2009
World Junior Record: 24.55, Claire Curzan (USA) – 2021
World Cup Record: 24.38 Therese Alshammar (SWE) – 2009
Maggie MacNeilscratched the 100 backstroke to focus on the 50 fly and it paid off for her in a big way. She earned the win in 24.75, which is a new Canadian record and a massive lifetime best for her–her first time under 25 seconds. She owned the previous record as well, which stood at 25.13 from last year’s World Cup.
Beryl Gastaldellowon this event in Berlin in 25.16, and she earned second in Toronto in a time just .10 seconds slower. Post-race, Gastaldello admitted that she messed up her turn, so she was looking forward to fixing that in her next race. Soma Ai earned third, .31 seconds behind Gastaldello in 25.57.
The world record holder in this event Kyle Chalmersled wire-to-wire in the men’s 100 free, earning the win in the men’s 100 free dominantly in 45.52. Last night, he was third in the 50 free behind Carter and Brooks Curry, who were both in this race as well.
Curry, who like MacNeil flew up to Toronto after finishing a dual meet with LSU, earned third in 46.32. Sandwiched between him and Chalmers was the Italian Thomas Ceccon, who is the LCM 100 backstroke world record holder but is an important part of Italy’s men’s 4×100 free relay, which won silver at the Tokyo Olympics.
Women’s 100 Breast – Finals
World Record: 1:02.36, Ruta Meilutyte (LTU)/Alia Atkinson (JAM) – 2013/2016
World Junior Record: 1:02.36 Benchmark
World Cup Record: 1:02.36, Ruta Meilutyte (LTU)/Alia Atkinson (JAM) – 2013/2016
This was a special race, as it featured the last three Olympic champions in the LCM 100 breast: Lydia Jacoby (Tokyo champion), Lilly King(Rio champion), and Ruta Meilutyte(London champion). Meilutyte has been on fire since coming out of retirement, and she’s rolled the success she had in LCM this summer over to SCM here at the World Cup. After winning the 50 and 100 breast in Berlin, she’s now captured the 100 breast in Toronto. She touched in 1:02.95, faster than the 1:03.07 she went last weekend.
Lilly Kingpicked up the win in the 200 breaststroke on night 1: she and Meilutyte were locked in a tight battle for the whole race, but Meilutyte got the better of King, 1:02.95 to King’s 1:03.23. Germany’s Anna Elendtgrabbed bronze in 1:04.07, resetting the German record of 1:04.54 that she set in prelims.
Men’s 200 Fly – Finals
World Record: 1:46.85, Tomoru Honda (JPN) – 2022
World Junior Record: 1:49.62, Chen Juner (CHN) – 2022
World Cup Record: 1:48.56, Chad Le Clos (RSA) – 2013
Trenton Juliantook the win in the 200 fly on the back-end of a tough 200 IM/200 fly double. He went out hard, as he usually does, and was able to hold off Chad Le Closon the closing meters to get his hands on the wall first. Le Clos had a monster final underwater and came charging home, but he ultimately ran out of room and finished second in 1:49.78, just off the 1:49.62 he went to win the race in Berlin.
Wang Kuan-Hung earned third in 1:51.15, more than a second back of the top two but well ahead of fourth place, Mexico’s Jose Martinez. Martinez, who owns the Mexican record in 1:51.39, posted a 1:53.50.
NEW YORK – Toronto Blue Jays reliever Chad Green and Canadian slugger Tyler O’Neill of the Boston Red Sox were named finalists for the Major League Baseball Players’ Association’s American League comeback player award on Monday.
Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet was the other nominee.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. were named player of the year finalists.
The award winners, selected via player voting, will be named Saturday before Game 2 of the World Series.
Green, who missed most of the 2022 and ’23 seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery, was a high-leverage option for the Blue Jays this past season and filled in at closer over the second half of the campaign.
The right-hander converted his first 16 save opportunities and finished the year with a 4-6 record, 17 saves and a 3.21 earned-run average over 53 appearances.
O’Neill, a native of Burnaby, B.C., also endured back-to-back injury-plagued seasons in ’22 and ’23.
After being traded to the Red Sox in the off-season, O’Neill set an MLB record by hitting a homer in his fifth straight Opening Day. He finished with 31 homers on the year and had an OPS of .847.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.
NEW YORK – Florida Panthers centre Sam Reinhart was named NHL first star of the week on Monday after leading all players with nine points over four games last week.
Reinhart had four goals, five assists and a plus-seven rating to help the Stanley Cup champions post a 3-0-1 record on the week and move into first place in the Atlantic Division.
New York Rangers left-winger Artemi Panarin took the second star and Minnesota Wild goaltenderFilip Gustavsson was the third star.
Panarin had eight points (4-4) over three games.
Gustavsson became the 15th goalie in NHL history to score a goal and had a 1.00 goals-against average and .962 save percentage over a pair of victories.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson won’t finish the season as Cleveland’s starting quarterback for the second straight year.
He’s injured again, and the Browns have new problems.
Watson ruptured his right Achilles tendon in the first half of Sunday’s loss to Cincinnati, collapsing as he began to run and leading some Browns fans to cheer while the divisive QB laid on the ground writhing in pain.
The team feared Watson’s year was over and tests done Monday confirmed the rupture. The Browns said Watson will have surgery and miss the rest of the season but “a full recovery is expected.”
It’s the second significant injury in two seasons for Watson, who broke the glenoid (socket) bone in his throwing shoulder last year after just six starts.
The 29-year-old went down Sunday without being touched on a draw play late in the first half. His right leg buckled and Watson crumpled to the turf. TV replays showed his calf rippling, consistent with an Achilles injury.
He immediately put his hands on his helmet, clearly aware of the severity of an injury similar to the one Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers sustained last year.
As he was being assisted by the team’s medical staff and backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson grabbed a ball to begin warming up, there was some derisive cheers and boos from the stands in Huntington Bank Field.
Cleveland fans have been split over Watson, who has been accused of being sexually inappropriate with women.
The reaction didn’t sit well with several Watson’s teammates, including star end Myles Garrett, the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who was appalled by the fans’ behavior.
“We should be ashamed of ourselves as Browns and as fans to boo anyone and their downfall. To be season-altering, career-altering injury,” Garrett said. “Man’s not perfect. He doesn’t need to be. None of us are expected to be perfect. Can’t judge him for what he does off the field or on the field because I can’t throw stones for my glass house.
“Ultimately everyone’s human and they’re disappointed just like we are, but we have to be better than that as people. There’s levels to this. At the end of the day, it’s just a game and you don’t boo anybody being injured and you don’t celebrate anyone’s downfall.”
Backup quarterback Jameis Winston also admonished the uncomfortable celebration.
“I am very upset with the reaction to a man that has had the world against him for the past four years, and he put his body and life on the line for this city every single day,” he said. “The way I was raised, I will never pull on a man when he’s down, but I will be the person to lift him up.
“I know you love this game. When I first got here, I knew these were some amazing fans, but Deshaun was treated badly and now he has to overcome another obstacle. So I’m going to support him, I’m going to lift him up and I’m going to be there for him.”
The injury is yet another twist in Watson’s tumultuous time with the Browns.
Cleveland traded three first-round draft picks and five overall to Houston in 2022 to get him, with owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam approving the team giving Watson a fully guaranteed, five-year $230 million contract.
With a solid roster, the Browns were desperate to find a QB who could help them compete against the top AFC teams.
The Browns had moved on from Baker Mayfield despite drafting him No. 1 overall in 2018 and making the playoffs two seasons later.
But Watson has not played up to expectations — fans have been pushing for him to be benched this season — and Cleveland’s move to get him has been labeled an abject failure with the team still on the hook to pay him $46 million in each of the next two seasons.
Watson’s arrival in Cleveland also came amid accusations by more than two dozen women of sexual assault and harassment during massage therapy sessions while he played for the Texans. Two grand juries declined to indict him and he has settled civil lawsuits in all but one of the cases.
Watson was suspended by the NFL for his first 11 games and fined $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy before he took his first snap with the Browns. The long layoff — he sat out the 2021 season in a contract dispute — led to struggles once he got on the field, and Watson made just six starts last season before hurting his shoulder.
Cleveland signed veteran Joe Flacco, who went 4-1 as a starter and led the Browns to the playoffs.
Before Watson got hurt this year, he didn’t play much better. He was one of the league’s lowest-rated passers for a Cleveland team that hasn’t scored 20 points in a game and is back in search of a franchise QB.
