Kristóf Milák Back on Winning Form at Hungarian Championships; Betlehem Edges Rasovszky in 800 Thriller
Kristóf Milák returned to the top of the podium after overhauling Nándor Németh to claim the 100 free crown at the Hungarian Championships in Sopron.
Kristof Milak: Photo Courtesy: Deepbluemedia
Milák hadn’t raced since the 2025 edition of the national championships before he took to the water in Sopron on Wednesday where he qualified second for the 100 free and 200 fly finals.
The world record holder dropped the 200 fly to focus on the two-length event where he reached halfway in 23.15, 0.14 behind Nemeth.
He accelerated down the second 50 in 25.21 to go past his rival and into the wall in 48.36 to 48.44. Szebasztián Szabo was third in 49.16.
It was 0.89 off his Hungarian record of 47.47 set en-route to silver at the 2022 European Championships in Rome, but a fine stepping stone on a return to international waters which he hasn’t graced since winning the 100 fly at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Betlehem Wins 800 Duel After Storming Final 50
Dávid Betlehem and Kristóf Rasovszky fought out a duel in the 800 free with the pair trading the lead like boxers trade punches as the former took the title by 0.01 at the end of 16 gruelling lengths of the pool.
David Betlehem & Kristof Rasovszky: Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia
Betlehem led at halfway but Rasovszky pulled away on the second half of the race to hold a 1.70secs lead at the final turn and appeared on the brink of victory.
Betlehem, however, came clattering down the final 50 like a train, his 26.31 blast drawing him draw level with his teammate before getting the touch by the narrowest of margins in 7:48.08 to 7:48.09. Zalán Sárkány was third in 7:49.44.
The pair are accustomed to sharing thrilling races and podiums with Rasovszky leading Betlehem to a Hungary 1-3 in the open water at the Olympics in Paris.
Panna Ugrai won the women’s 100 free with a 27.93 second 50 seeing her move away from the field to touch in 54.24 with the sole sub-55 swim of the field.
In the 200 fly final missing Milák, Dávid Antal came from 0.17 at the final turn to go past longtime leader Richárd Marton and take the title in 1:56.45 to 1:56.59. Balázs Holló was third in 1:58.38.
Jackl Doubles Up
Vivien Jackl and Boróka Zsófia Kertész shared the women’s 200 fly title after the former made up a 0.46 deficit at the 150m mark to come from third as the pair touched in 2:10.36. Evy Rozeboom of the Netherlands was next home in 2:11.19 with Mira Iszlai the third Hungarian in 2:12.82.
Vivien Jackl: Photo courtesy: European Aquatics
Jackl returned for the 1500 free as she rounded out a gruelling evening with the final individual event of the day. She enjoyed a dominant victory in 16:20.16 ahead of Ajna Kesely (16:20.95) with Viktória Mihályvári-Farkas third in 16:27.50.
In the 200 fly final missing Milák, Dávid Antal came from 0.17 at the final turn to go past longtime leader Richárd Marton and take the title in 1:56.45 to 1:56.59. Balázs Holló was third in 1:58.38
Spanish duo Ainhoa Campabadal and Irene Ciercoles couldn’t be separated on 55.13 with Petra Senánszky the second Hungarian home in 55.44. Boróka Zsófia Orban was the third of the home swimmers to touch, finishing sixth in 56.36.
Christopher Rothbauer of Austria was first to touch in the men’s 200 breaststroke in 2:14.08 with Gábor Zombori the first Hungarian home in 2:15.35.
Aina Fernandez of Spain took the women’s title in 2:29.08 with Eszter Dóra Békési the first Hungarian in 2:30.44.
Semifinals Round-Up
- Gábor Zombori headed the men’s 200IM in 2:03.80
- Bianka Barta led the way in the women’s 200IM in 2:18.73
- Benedek Kovacs headed the men’s 100 back in 54.08
- Fanni Kokas – who won the 50 back on the opening night – booked lane four for the 100 in 1:01.08
