Lewis Clareburt did what was required today to book a spot in the final of the men’s 400m individual medley.
With only two heats scheduled and eight swimmers to progress to the final, it seemed the experienced Clareburt would ease into the final. After all, he is the 400m individual medley world champion and was the bronze medallist in the same event at the 2019 world champs.
Three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics, Clareburt finished seventh in this event.
He seemed struggle for a time today, though he eventually finished fourth equal in his heat and sixth equal fastest overall.
Clareburt was timed at 4min 11.52s, a fraction slower than his time in the Tokyo final.
“Well, I got through to the final and it was a pretty quick time,” he said later. “I’m glad I snuck in. I could tell I was behind early on, but I knew what I’d done out there was enough to make the final. It was a bit of a dogfight with a few guys across the pool near the end.”
Clareburt, 25, said his training had gone well and that he was looking for a big swim in the final.
“Leon [Marchand of France] seems to be light years ahead, but there are some minor placings up for grabs. I’m feeling calm and I’m confident I can post a faster time than I did in the heat.”
Erika Fairweather, backing up after her fourth placing yesterday in the 400m freestyle final, tackled the 200m freestyle today.
With the fastest 16 in the field of 31 advancing to the semi-finals, Fairweather qualified comfortably. She finished second in her heat in 1min 56.54s, good enough for seventh overall.
Dunedin backstroker Kane Follows finished second in his 100m heat today in 55.01s, but with the top 16 from the six heats to progress to the semi-final, he placed 33rd overall.