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Alberto Razzetti set a national 200IM record of 1:57.13 and Gregorio Paltrinieri booked the defence of his 1500 freestyle crown in 14:40.38 as the Italian Swimming Championships concluded in Riccione.
Simona Quadarella and Martina Caramignoli also booked their spots in the longest race of the pool programme in Tokyo come July.
Razzetti booked his ticket for Tokyo after lowering his own Italian mark of 1:58.09 from the Sette Colli last August.
Out in 25.24, the 21-year-old extended his lead throughout, reaching halfway in 55.84 (30.60) and 1:28.97 (33.13) at the final turn before coming home in 28.16 to clinch a spot on the Olympic team.
The time would have been good enough for silver at the 2018 European Championships and propelled Razzetti top of the world rankings ahead of Jeremy Desplanches.
Lorenzo Glessi was second in 2:00.81 with Matteo Pelizzari coming from seventh at the 100m mark to take third in 2:01.38 although only Razzetti was inside the cut for Tokyo.
Razzetti told the Italian Swimming Federation:
“I’m very happy. I made a dream come true.
“Until last year I would not have believed it.
“I am happy with how the race went and with the time which is sensational.
“Now it will be fun for the Europeans (in Budapest in May).
“I hope to improve my races even more. Then there will be the Olympics. The dream that becomes reality.”
Sara Franceschi completed the medley double with victory in the 200IM in 2:11.57 in a closely-fought tussle with Ilaria Cusinato who clocked 2:11.75.
Neither woman, however, were inside the standard required to book an Olympic slot.
Paltrinieri Gives 1500 Demonstration; Tokyo Tickets For Women’s Duo
Paltrinieri has been on golden form this week with a 7:41.96 meet record in the 800 free ahead of a punishing schedule in Tokyo where he will take on the two longest races in the pool – including a defence of his 1500 crown – before a tilt at the 10k.
He announced in May last year that he had split with Stefano Morini, his coach of nine years and the man who helped guide him to Olympic gold to join the national open water squad under the guidance of Fabrizio Antonelli.
Photo Courtesy: Gian Mattia Dalberto/Lapresse
In June 2020 he set a new European record of 14:33.10 at the Sette Colli in Rome which was the second-fastest time in history behind only Sun Yang and his world record of 14:31.02 en-route to Olympic gold at London 2012.
At the time Paltrinieri, a medallist in the 1500 at every worlds since 2013, credited the break that was enforced by the pandemic for renewing his motivation.
On Saturday, the three-time European champion went out in 27.48 with his subsequent splits ranging from 29.15-29.73 before a final 100 of 56.87 (28.88/27.99) brought him home almost 25 seconds clear of Luca De Tullio (15:05.31).
Domenico Acarenza took third in 15:06.39.
It propelled Paltrinieri to the top of the rankings ahead of Damien Joly and his 14:55.02 last month.
He said:
“I started slowly but I still struggled, a lot of effort. We are in the middle of a journey.
“Given how the 800s had gone, I thought I’d swim a little less but it was still a good race.
“I am happy with these championships, I am trying a few things.
“The most important aspect was undoubtedly being here and being able to compete.
“I liked being shoulder to shoulder with Gabriele (Detti), Mimmo (Acerenza) and the others and I bring home something important even from these 1500s.”
He added:
“In the water I felt different sensations than usual.
“We did the preparation well, including at altitude. Now we get back to work.
“With the arrival of summer I also want to swim in the sea.
“Yup, to the Europeans I would like to do all my races already.I’m having fun.
“With the changes in training and the change of coach I have found many new stimuli and I like this. “
Simona Quadarella: Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant
Simona Quadarella and Martina Caramignoli both booked their spots in the women’s 1500 race which will make its Olympic debut in Tokyo.
Quadarella – the world champion – led from the start to win in 15:57.03 despite Caramignoli making slight inroads into the deficit on the final 100 to take second in 15:59.13.
The pair went third and fourth respectively in the world rankings which are led by Katie Ledecky who has set the benchmark in 2021 of 15:42.92.
Quadarella was satisfied with her efforts at the meet but looked forward to dropping more time, saying:
“The minimum goal, to drop below 16 minutes, we have achieved.
“It was a bit of a tiring championship, I never stopped.
“I think I have to do some more work, especially in the preparation at altitude.
“That’s okay for now: 15:57 is a decent time on which we need to work.
“Doing so many races was a choice because I wanted to try a little bit of everything.
I hope to be fitter for the Europeans. Then there will be the Olympics. Yes, I think about it enough and I want to find my shape completely.”
Pilato Wins After Scorching Heat
The first three women home in the 50br featured the same trio who participated in a record-breaking 100m on Friday.
Benedetta Pilato had gone within 0.01 of her Italian record weith a 29.62 prelim and she returned to win the title in 29.91 ahead of Martina Carraro – who followed her Italian record of 1:05.86 over 100m with second in 30.65 – with Arianna Castiglione 0.12 adrift in 30.77.
Piero Codia won the 50 fly in 23.47 with Silvia Di Pietro claiming the women’s title in 26.38 and Lorenzo Mora took the 50 back in 25.30.
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