MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Carles Coll Marti, Luis Dominguez, Mario Molla Yanes and Youssef Ramadan, along with alumni Antani Ivanov and Ian Ho competed at the 2022 FINA World Swimming Championships in Melbourne, Australia Dec 13-18. Swimming short course, the Hokies broke multiple national records for their home countries and made many personal best times.
After a long day of traveling, the Hokies brought their A-game to Australia. Coll Marti, Dominguez and Molla Yanes were three out of the nine swimmers for their home country, Spain. Ramadan swam for his home country, Egypt, out of only five total swimmers. Hokie alumni Antani Ivanov swam for his home country, Bulgaria, whereas another Hokie alum, Ian Ho, swam for Hong Kong. Virginia Tech head coach Sergio Lopez Miro traveled with the Hokies to Melbourne to support those swimming.
HEAD COACH SERGIO LOPEZ MIRO
"Worlds went very well for us, probably one of the best worlds we've had in VT history. We broke 21 national records and had many swims in the top 16 and a few in the top eight. I think this was a big statement from Virginia Tech, being able to perform at worlds at this level in December. It was a very exciting competition, and I'm glad we were a part of it. Watching our swimmers, I can say that they have evolved a lot and all of that is going to translate into the ACC championships and the NCAAs, bringing even more experience and making the Hokies a tough team to beat."
HIGHLIGHTS
The Hokies had strong performances in their relays. Swimming for Spain, Carles Coll Marti, Luis Dominguez and Mario Molla Yanes finished with a time of 1:24.83 in the 200 free relay, placing sixth in finals. Coll Marti, Dominguez and Molla Yanes also placed sixth in the 400 free relay with a final time of 3:07.19. Continuing the high placing relays, Dominguez and Molla Yanes finished the 800 free relay with a time of 6:53.13, placing sixth as well. Dominguez's 200 free lead off during this relay made a personal best time and national record for Spain at 1:43.02.
Placing in day 6 finals, Youssef Ramadan finished eighth in the men's 100 fly with a time of 49.84. Placing eighth in finals the day before, Carles Coll Marti finished the 100 IM at 52.36. During semifinals in the 100 IM, Coll Marti made a personal best time and a national record for Spain with a time of 51.97.
Hokie alumni, Ian Ho, swam the 200 medley relay with his home country Hong Kong. Ho's 50 free split in the relay at 20.34 became the fastest split during prelims and finals. The relay finished with a time of 1:34.74 and became a national record for the country.
NATIONAL RECORDS
50 fly:
- Youssef Ramadan X2 – 22.32
50 free:
- Ian Ho – 20.99
- Ian Ho – 20.34 (200 medley relay split)
100 free:
- Youssef Ramadan – 46.51
200 free (lead off):
- Luis Dominguez – 1:43.02
100 IM:
- Carles Coll Marti – 51.97
4 x 50 mixed medley relay:
- Ian Ho (Hong Kong) – 1:42.05
200 medley relay:
- Ian Ho (Hong Kong) – 1:34.74
400 medley relay:
- Coll Marti & Molla Yanes (Spain) – 3:26.48
- Antani Ivanov (Bulgaria) – 3:33.05
- Ian Ho (Hong Kong) – 3:30.73
200 free relay:
- Coll Marti, Dominguez & Molla Yanes (Spain) – 1:24.83
- Antani Ivanov (Bulgaria) – 1:26.58
- Ian Ho (Hong Kong) – 1:27.59
400 free relay:
- Dominguez, Molla Yanes, Coll Marti (Spain) X2 – 3:07.19
- Antani Ivanov (Bulgaria) – 3:12.15
800 free relay:
- Dominguez & Molla Yanes (Spain) X2 – 6:53.13
- Antani Ivanov (Bulgaria) – 6:59.12
INDIVIDUAL BEST TIMES
50 fly:
- Youssef Ramadan X2 – 22.32
- Mario Molla Yanes – 22.83
100 fly:
- Mario Molla Yanes – 50.67
50 free:
- Ian Ho – 20.99
- Ian Ho – 20.34 (200 medley relay split)
100 free:
- Youssef Ramadan – 46.51
- Ian Ho – 47.61
200 free (lead off):
- Luis Dominguez – 1:43.02
400 free:
- Luis Dominguez – 3:43.18
100 IM:
- Carles Coll Marti X2 – 51.97
200 IM:
- Carles Coll Marti – 1:54.03
UP NEXT
The Hokies will travel to Charlotte to compete against Queens on Jan 7.