Arno Kamminga convincingly started the World Swimming Championships in Budapest on Saturday. The Dutchman, who could become a world champion in the Hungarian capital, set the fastest time in the 100-meter breaststroke series.
Kamminga scored at the Duna Arena after 58.69 seconds, thus proceeding to the semi-finals, scheduled for Saturday night. Sunday is the last battle. American Nick Fink had the second-fastest time of all series with a score of 58.81 and Michael Adrew, also an American, completed the top three.
26-year-old Kamenga, who took silver in the 100m and 200m breaststroke at the Tokyo Olympics last year, is not the only Dutchman to reach the semi-finals in the 100m breaststroke.
Caspar Corbo scored the sixth time (58.89) and finished second behind Andrew in his series. Corbo, 21, was born in the United States, but represents the Netherlands.
Kamminga is the contender for the world titles in Budapest in both the 100 and 200 metres. Last year in Tokyo, Katowiker had to admit his superiority in the 100 metres in Britain’s Adam Petty and Fink were very fast in the 200 metres. Petty won’t be competing in Budapest after doing a lot of things outside the pool after his Olympic title and breaking a bone in his foot during a weightlifting training session at the gym last month.
Arno Kamenga in the 100m breaststroke.
Arno Kamenga in the 100m breaststroke.
picture: France Press agency
Korstanci and Steenbergen qualified for the semi-finals
More Dutch people started on Saturday morning, the first day long-track swimming is on the World Cup agenda. Nils Korstanje qualified for the semi-finals of the 50-meter butterfly. He did well for the ninth time in the series (23.27) and with that was four tenths slower than Dylan Carter. Head swimmer from Trinidad and Tobago 22.87.
The defending champion, Caleb Dressel, scored 22.88 seconds. Thomas Verhoeven came up short for a sequel. He scored 23.64 and that was the 23rd time.
In the women’s competition, Marit Steenbergen reached the semi-finals in the 200-meter medley. She scored the fifth time (2.10.60), while American Alex Walsh was the fastest in the series with a time of 2.09.41.
In the 4x100m freestyle, the Netherlands qualified for the final with the sixth fastest time. Kim Bosch, Steenbergen, Tessa Gilly and Valerie Van Ron finished with a time of 3.37.56. Australian women were the fastest at 3.33.74. They are the title holder. The final is on Saturday evening.
The Netherlands have been at the top of the world in the 4x100m for several years, thanks in part to Ranomy Kromovedjogo and Femke Heemskerk. They swam in the last event of their career in 2021.
Nick Fink is one of the main competitors of Arno Kamenga.
Nick Fink is one of the main competitors of Arno Kamenga.
picture: Getty Images
