CSS, Guangzhou, Day 2: Sjostrom most successful swimmer in Guangzhou Champions Series with 4 golds

With four victories, Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden became the biggest winner, while Katinka Hosszu of Hungary bagged three golds in total at the first leg of FINA Champions Series 2019 which concluded tonight Sunday April 28 in Guangzhou, China.

Sarah Sjostrom showed her talent in the 50m fly in 25.55 and the 100m free in 52.82, adding two more to her two titles won on Saturday.

"It was exciting to win the races. I was just trying to swim the smart race against the best girls in the world. It is great to have the opportunity to compete with the best swimmers more often. Usually we only compete at the World Championships and the Olympic Games. It is very important for the sport of swimming," Sjostrom said.

Hosszu dominated the 200m back (2:09.05) and the 200m IM (2:08.72).

"I enjoyed the races here as I could hear the music which was really good. But I did not watch the dancing before my event. The entertainment part of the competition was so good. It was good for the spectators and for us, what we need to do is to show our best in the water," Hosszu said.

Benjamin Proud of Britain was the winner in the men's 50m free with a time of 21.48 and Vladimir Morozov of Russia came second (21.60), while Michael Andrew (USA) secured the bronze in 21.97.

"It was a great race as we were very close to each other. The big crowd here made me excited. I think FINA, the swimmers and the audience together can make a successful Champions Swim Series," Proud said.

Cate of Campbell Australia smashed the 50m free in 24.00 to take gold. She was followed by Sjostrom (24.11).

"It was my first time in Guangzhou and my first time back in China since the 2008 Beijing Olympic games. I enjoy the food very much here," Campbell said.

Russian swimmers Andrei Minakov won the men's 100m fly in 51.44, while Kliment Kolesnikov topped the men's 50m back in 24.58, Anton Chupkov came from behind in the last 50m and snatched gold in the men's 200m breast in 2:07.48, beating the pace setter Qin Haiyang (2:08.31).

"I think the fun part of this new competition was the music and the dance show before and after the events. It made both the swimmers and the fans excited and relaxed. I also like the car model as a prize gift," Kolesnikov smiled.

Imogen CLARK (GBR) finished first in the women's 50m breaststroke 30.71.

Chinese star swimmer Sun Yang clocked 3:42.75 in his favourite 400m freestyle, his fastest time this season. Gariele Detti of Italy came second in 3:46.45.

Sun also added the 200m free gold to his tally as he stormed 1:46.12, beating Danas Rapsys of Lithuania by 0.16.

"I had a special feeling in Guangzhou where I smashed my first Asian record at the 2010 Asian Games. I still felt like a young guy in the pool. I was satisfied with my two events in one night and I trained very hard for this. I hope I can keep the fighting spirit up to the Gwangju World Championships and the Tokyo Olympic Games," Sun said.

Ye Shiwen clinched her second medal in the 200m breaststroke in a personal best of 2:22.53.

"I wanted to show my gratitude to the fans here because they boosted my enthusiasm in the race. I was happy to lift my personal best," Ye said.

The FINA Champions Swim Series will next stop in Budapest, Hungary, from May 11-12 and the third leg from May 31-June 1 will be in Indianapolis, United States.

Medal Table in Guangzhou