Records fell and qualification slots were locked in for the World Short Course Championships on the second day of the Dutch Qualifiers in Rotterdam.
Tatjana Smith continues her return from retirement in the 100m breaststroke where she set a championship record of 1:04.66 in prelims. The South African returned in the afternoon to take 0.74 off that mark in 1:03.92, just 0.03 off her African record of 1:03.89 that has stood since October 2020.
She is only the second woman inside 1:04 this year and stands second in the rankings behind only Kotomi Kato who went 1:03.82 at the Japan National Championships earlier this month.
Nina Zusterzeel was the first Dutchwoman home but her time of 1:07.29 was outside the cut for December’s short-course worlds in Beijing.
The records tumbled in the men’s 100 back. Noah Verreth lowered his Belgian mark to 50.23 in prelims before he came back to take the title in 50.25. Kai van Westering set his second Dutch record in as many days, going 50.97 to take 0.42 off Nick Driebergen’s 51.39 mark from December 2009 as the supersuit era limped to its final demise.
It followed his 1:51.59 in the 200 back on the opening day which also consigned a Driebergen standard to history. However, his time over the shorter distance was outside the Beijing cut. Giovanni Phillipson set a Dutch junior record of 52.37.
Milou wan Wijk sizzled to a 51.72 championship record in the 100 free and booked her place alongside Marrit Steenbergen. Imani de Jong and Valerie van Roon clocked 53.03 and 53.05 respectively.
Maaike de Waard delivered a 25.93 CR in the 50 back and will join Steenbergen in the event after booking her place in the 50 fly and 100 back on Thursday.
Marte Hieke van der Kamp also set a championship record in the 1500 free although her time of 16:07.28 was outside the QT.
Evy Rozeboom was 0.27 off the cut in the 200 fly (2:09.12) with Tobias van Aggelen (200IM, 1:59.48) and Emile Fouzai (7:57.73) also winning titles.
