South Korea's Hwang fastest in men's 100m freestyle heat
Doha (QAT), 22.10.2021: South Korea’s Sunwoo Hwang topped the men's 100m freestyle on the second day of FINA Swimming World Cup Doha 2021 at the Hamad Aquatic Center on Friday. Hwang posted 47.08 to win the heat as many stars including Jesse Puts (NED), Kyle Chalmers (AUS), Vladimir Morozov (RUS) and Blake Pieroni (USA) also advanced, setting up an exciting title race. Puts clocked 47.29 to came second in the heat followed by Chalmers, who completed the race in 47.55. After winning a 50m freestyle gold on Thursday, Morozov is aiming for a second gold in Doha this evening as he reached the final with a time of 47.56. America’s Pieroni finished in 48.15 to ensure his place in the final. Qatar’s Aziz Ismail also registered an impressive time of 57.12; however it was enough to give him a place in the final. Meanwhile, Arno Kamminga is on course for his second breaststroke gold in Doha after his 100m victory on the first day as the Dutchman secured top spot in heat for men’s 50m breaststroke, clocking 26.29. South Korea’s Jaekwon Moon was second in 26.43 while German swimmer Fabian Schwingenschlogl finished the heat in 26.49 to claim third position. Russia’s Anton Chupkov also qualified for the final with a time of 27.06 as Yousef Al-Khulaifi of Qatar clocked 31.25 in the heat. After winning a 200m backstroke gold on Thursday, Pieter Coetze (RSA) continued his fine form in the Qatari capital as he was fastest in men's 50m backstroke heat, clocking 23.77. South Korea’s Youngjun Won also excelled in the event, securing second position with a time of 24.07 while his team-mate Juho Lee posted 24.10 to achieve third spot in the race. Ibrahim Al-Hilal was quickest among the Qatari swimmers in the heat, taking 30.49 to finish the race. A total of nine winners will be decided in second day’s evening session, ahead of the final day on Saturday. ENDS