World swimming championships: Ceccon World gold in the 100 backstroke with world record, 51 “60

From our correspondent Stefano Arcobelli

June 20
– BUDAPEST

Crazy, extraordinary Thomas Ceccon. At the World Championships in Budapest a gold medal in the 100 backstroke arrives, the first world champion for an Italian, topped off with a space world record: 51 “60! The 51” 85 of the American Ryan Murphy was canceled, beaten in the water (51 “97 ) in a final that saw Hunter Armstrong third (51 ”98). A textbook match for the 2001 Vicenza-born (born in Thiene) trained in Vicenza by Alberto Burlina: Thomas offsets at 0.62, turns second in 25 “14 against 25” 02 of Murphu then stretches his levers on the edge of primacy, but staying always in front of the American couple. A perfect race from the last great talent of blue swimming.

“Nobody beat me today!”

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Thomas at the end of the race went crazy with joy: “Today nobody beat me! What a sensational shot. 51” 60 is a very strong time, even yesterday I could do it, but I didn’t expect to go so fast. Perhaps 4 athletes made the world record in Italy, it is an ‘achievement’ that is a lot of stuff for the career of a sportsman. Today the Americans went very fast, Murphy always hides and then in the final he brings out what he doesn’t have. Armstrong is my age and I knew he could go fast. Yesterday’s race gave me a lot of confidence. Emotion? I honestly don’t know, I have no idea. Targets? I aim even higher! “And down a smile like this.

Versatile

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Ceccon is a polyvalent capable of ranging from dolphin to freestyle to backstroke and mixed. He does too many races, but after the fourth place in the Tokyo Games he knew that it would be crucial to focus on the specialty that looks at the sun. Arrived with a personal of 52 ”30, he made a sensational progress after winning the bronze with the 4×100 sl and the fifth place in the 50 butterfly.