Seto Cracks 4mins For Medley Crown
Dec 13, 2012 - Craig Lord
Istanbul, World Short-Course Championships, Day 2 finals:
Men's 400m medley
Daiya Seto, 18, gave Japan its first gold of the meet by cracking 4mins for the first time: on 3:59.15, Seto became the fifth man ever inside 4mins in textile and the first this year.
After leading on butterfly, he lagged Laszlo Cseh (HUN) and Japan teammate Kosuke Hagino after backstroke but hit back on breaststroke and surged into the lead on freestyle, Cseh the only man to stick with him on the way to silver in 4:00.50. His Hungary teammate David Verraszto took bronze in 4:02.87, Hagino locked out on 4:04.13.
Pity the gracious Cseh a little: no Phelps, no Lochte - and still silver.
The podium:
Dubai 2010:
History in the making:
World s/c Podiums
Most world titles in this event: 3
Matthew Dunn (AUS) 1995,97, 99; Ryan Lochte (USA) 2006, 2008, 2010
World Record: 3:55.50 Ryan Lochte (USA) 16.12.10
All-time textile rankings top 5: