Budapest 2024, Day 5 Finals: Zalan Sarkany Delights Home Crowd with 800 Freestyle Title
With more than 20 world records established during the first four-plus days of the World Short Course Championships in Budapest, the crowds at Duna Arena have been appreciative of the athletes’ performances. But the venue was at its loudest on Saturday night, as Hungarian Zalan Sarkany delighted the home crowd with a victory in the 800-meter freestyle.
Trailing Tunisia’s Ahmed Jaouadi for the first 300 meters, Sarkany upped the pace just before the midway mark to move into the lead and remained in that position through the finish. Sarkany registered a winning time of 7:30.56, which was more than a second clear of Germany’s Florian Wellbrock (7:31.90), who grabbed the silver medal after swimming his time during the morning heats of the timed-finals event. Jaouadi claimed the bronze medal in 7:31.93.
Sarkany’s distance talent has been well-documented, with the Hungarian competing collegiately in the United States. A year ago, he was a key contributor as Arizona State won the NCAA team title. Since, Zarkany has transferred to Indiana University and figures to be a major player in the Hoosiers’ push for a top finish at the 2025 NCAA Champs.
Last summer, Zarkany represented Hungary in the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle at the Olympic Games in Paris. While he was 14th in the shorter distance, Sarkany placed 11th in the 1500 free. Now, he has a world title to his credit and a national record.
