The emotions are not over yet and continue with the final session of heats of the 59th edition of the International Swimming Championships - Sette Colli Trophy.
The 50m freestyle opens the morning session. The fastest is Sarah Sjostrom, who, after winning the 50m butterfly on the first day and finishing second in the 100m freestyle, is aiming for a double in Rome. The Swedish champion - with ninety medals from Olympics, World Championships, and European Championships - swims in 24"31, forty-four hundredths ahead of compatriot Michelle Coleman, who follows in 24"75. Swiss swimmer Roman Mityukov leads the 200m backstroke in 1'58"31. Fifth is a surprising Dylan Buonaguro. The 20-year-old from Tolmezzo, affiliated with Fondazione Bentegodi and coached by Emiliano Brembilla, finishes in 2'01"47, one second off his personal best. Only sixteenth is Matteo Restivo (Carabinieri/RN Florentia), who is finalizing his preparation for the World Championships in Fukuoka, where he qualified with a time of 1'56"96 at the Italian Absolute Championships in Riccione. The 28-year-old from Udine, now based in Florence and the Italian record holder (1'56"29), does not go beyond 2'04"23.
In the women's 200m backstroke, without European champion Margherita Panziera, thirty-three hundredths separate Rio Shirai and Kylie Masse as she chase a triple after their victories in the 50m and 100m backstroke. The 23-year-old Japanese swimmer clocks in at 2'11"44, while the 26-year-old from Salle finishes in 2'11"77. Among the top ten are Federica Toma from Apulia (Carabinieri/In Sport Rane Rosse), seventh in 2'13"16, and Martina Cenci from Rome (Fiamme Oro/Aurelia), eighth in 2'13"71, seeking a comeback after an exceptional junior career.
A bit tired but still on point, Thomas Ceccon is the fastest in the 50m butterfly, already victorious in the 50m and 100m backstroke. The Italian record holder (22"79) and European champion - affiliated with Fiamme Oro and Leosport and coached by Alberto Burlina - finishes in 23.40, three hundredths ahead of German Luca Armbruster (23"43) and four hundredths ahead of Hungarian Szebasztian Szabo (23"44).
Two British swimmers are leading after the heats of the 200m butterfly. Emily Large and Laura Stephens clock times of 2'09"72 and 2'09"97, respectively. Ninth is Ilaria Cusinato (Fiamme Oro/Team Veneto) in 2'11"69.
An unexpected Italian presence shines in the women's 200m breaststroke because the best time is set by Dutch swimmer Arno Kamminga in 2'11"34. But behind the Dutch talent and vice champion is a resurgent Alessandro Fusco. The talented 23-year-old from Alessandria, affiliated with Fiamme Gialle and CC Aniene and coached by Mirko Nozzolillo, records an excellent time of 2'12"91. Fourth is Luca Pizzini (Carabinieri/Fondazione Bentegodi) in 2'13"27, with a Dutch swimmer leading among the females. Tes Schouten seems to leave no room for competition and clocks a superb time of 2'22"62. Nevertheless, Martina Carraro (Fiamme Azzurre/NC Azzurra 91) performs well with the third best time of 2'27"69.
Filippo Megli finally shines again - affiliated with the Carabinieri and RN Florentia, coached by Paolo Palchetti - as he records the fastest time in the 200m freestyle. The 25-year-old from Giglio and Italian record holder with 1'45"67, achieved at the World Championships in Gwangju, swims in 1'47"21. Stefano Di Cola (Marina Militare/CC Aniene) finishes behind him in 1'47"51. Fourth is Romanian phenomenon David Popovici in 1'47"99, followed by Matteo Ciampi (Esercito/Livorno Aquatics) in 1'48"09, and Gabriele Detti (Esercito/In Sport Rane Rosse) in 1'48"17.
Simona Quadarella is also aiming for a triple as she already leads the 400m freestyle in the morning. The queen of European middle-distance swimming - affiliated with CC Aniene and coached by Christian Minotti - effortlessly swims in 4'10"78, the only one to go under 4'11. Behind the 24-year-old from Rome is Hungarian Ajna Kesely in 4'11"14.
Closing the heats are the 200m individual medley. Among the men, the fastest is British swimmer Duncan Scott in 2'00"67, with Alberto Razzetti (Fiamme Gialle/Genova Nuoto My Sport) in 2'03"63. Among the women, Dutch swimmer Marrit Steenbergen leads in 2'13"08. Sara Franceschi (Fiamme Gialle/Livorno Aquatics) is sixth in 2'14"99, followed closely by Costanza Cocconcelli (Fiamme Azzurre/NC Azzurra 91) in 2'15"21.
Heats Day 3 Results
50 freestlye women
1. Sarah Sjostrom (Swe) 24''31
200 backstroke men
1. Roman Mytiukov (Sui) 1'58''31
200 backstroke women
1. Rio Shiari (Jpn) 2'11''44
50 butterfly men
1. Thomas Ceccon 23''40
200 butterfly women
1. Emily Large (Gbr) 2'09''72
200 breaststroke men
1. Arno Kamminga (Ned) 2'11''34
200 breaststroke women
1. Tes Schouten (Ned) 2'22''62
200 freestyle men
1. Filippo Megli (Ita)
400 freestyle women
1. Simona Quadarella (Ita) 4'10''78
200 individual medley men
1. Duncan Scott (Gbr) 2'00''67
200 individual medley women
1. Marrit Steenbergen (Ned) 2'13''08
Photos by Giorgio Scala and Andrea Staccioli / DBM The use of photographs is allowed solely for registered publications for editorial purposes. It is mandatory to mention the credits.