Budapest 2024, Day 6 Finals: Qin Haiyang Edges 50m Breaststroke To Clinch Double
Qin Haiyang came from fourth at halfway to move through the field and add the 50m to the 100m breaststroke in Budapest.
The Chinese swimmer turned in 11.58, 0.12 behind leader Emre Sakci of Turkiye, but a 13.84 second 25 guided him into the wall for victory in 25.42.
World record-holder Sakci shared silver with neutral athlete Kirill Prigoda in 25.46.
Qin has experienced the highs and lows of sport this year. Ahead of Paris 2024, he was expected to be one of the main challengers for the Olympic title and Adam Peaty’s bid for the three-peat. It was Nicolo Martinenghi who won gold in the French capital ahead of the defending champion as Qin finished seventh. That was followed by the 200 where the world record-holder finished 10th in the semis.
However, Qin responded to swim the breaststroke leg as China won the men’s 4×1 medley relay and also claimed silver in the mixed medley.
He stole through at the death to win the 100m breaststroke in Asian and championship records of 55.47 before completing the double on Sunday in the shorter race.
“Today even though I didn’t reach the goal that I set, I am happy and satisfied with my race,” he said. “After last night’s race, I went to evaluate my performance and think about what I needed to work on. My first half isn’t always as fast as it should be, and I always need to swim harder in the second half to reach the wall first.”
“This is one of my favourite venues. I was astonished when I saw the pool for the first time. Every time we come to Budapest it’s always new and professional and motivating for an athlete like myself. I am going to take a short break after this meet to recover. I look forward to racing again this summer in Singapore.”
Sakci set the WR of 24.95 in December 2021. He also won gold at the 2024 European long-course Championships in Belgrade and has made podium at the last three continental short-course meets.
This though was his first trip to the global podium. “I’m really happy because this is my first World Championship medal,” said Sakci. “Overall, it was a good race for me, from the start until the end. I’m happy for the silver, to stand on the podium. Hope, this is just the beginning.”
As a neutral athlete, Prigoda is forbidden to speak to the media.
