Kirsty Sends Egerszegi Record To Coventry
2008-02-16
Craig Lord
After 17 years, the Hungarian's 2:06.62 from Athens 1991 is no longer the world record over 200m backstroke, as US-based Zimbabwean clocks 2:06.39; and Hoff cracks Evans's US 400 free mark

After 17 years, Krisztina Egerszegi's phenomenal 2:06.62 over 200m backstroke, clocked at the European Championships when winning the continental crown for Hungary in 1991, has been eclipsed: Kirsty Coventry, the US-based Zimbabwean scraped inside the mark with a 2:06.39 at the the Missouri Grand Prix on Saturday.

There was also a sensational 400m freestyle effort from Katie Hoff (USA), her 4:02.20 falling just 0.07sec shy of Laure Manaudou's world record, set in August 2006, also on the way to a European title. Hoff's time cracked the sensational 1988 American record of 4:03.85 that had stood to Janet Evans as a world record until Manaudou broke it in May 2006, almost 18 years after the American had claimed the Olympic title in Seoul with a monumental effort.

Hoff's best had been 4:04.60, from August last year, while Coventry's 2:06.83 from the Japan Open last August had given warning of what followed today in Missouri. Their latest efforts happened in morning finals: barriers broken all round. Manaudou has been given a serious warning in her best event and the one she may add to her roster. The dam cracked, it would not be a surprise to see all Beijing 2008 medals won in both those events inside the record times that stood so long.

Behind Coventry was the woman who beat her for the world title in March last year, Margaret Hoelzer (USA), on 2:10.76, while Hoff was followed home by the other speeding Kate, Ziegler (USA) on a 4:08.69.  

Hoff also clocked 54.28 to keep Kara Lynn Joyce (USA) American-record holder Natalie Coughlin at bay on 54.34 and 54.36.  

In the pool that saw Michael Phelps (USA) crack the world 200m butterfly record this month last year, the man heading for a golden eight in Beijing went inside that 1:53.71 that stood at the helm before Melbourne 2006, with a 1:53.31.

Cesar Cielo (BRA) reminded the new giants on the sprint blocks, Mssrs Nystrand and Bernard that the battle is ahead of them. He clocked 48.49 in the 100m freestyle.

Aaron Peirsol (USA), Olympic champion, swept his rivals away with a 1:55.85 win over 200m backstroke, ahead of teaam-mate David Cromwell, on 1:59.01.  

The 400m freestyle saw Erik Vendt (USA) speed to a 3:44.56 win over 400m freestyle, 0.4sec shy of the US record held by Klete Keller, second in 3:49.29.