On Wednesday evening, the 23-year-old from Panevėžys swam in 47.75 seconds and improved the Lithuanian record in the 100 m freestyle event in Paris for the second time.
Having taken the record from Danas Rapšys in the semifinal on Tuesday and finishing sixth, he swam 0.16 seconds faster in the final on Wednesday.
The competitors were fast, so T. Navikonis took eighth place.
Understand instantly
Navikonis surprised even himself with the record: “One of the most unexpected results. Such a ‘wow’
At the European Swimming Championships – three Lithuanian and one world record
The first Lithuanian to reach the final of individual events at the European Swimming Championships in Paris, an Ohio University bachelor, shared his impressions about his swim after the final in the Olympic swimming center filled with 5,000 spectators, as well as about 16-year-old Ieva Jurkūnaitė, who also reached the 200 m freestyle final this evening.
– Second Lithuanian record, eighth place in the final – what thoughts run through your mind after the swim? – we asked T. Navikonis.
– I did not expect such a result because there were moments in the swim when I got confused from the tension. But still the best result, Lithuanian record.
– What do you mean when you say you got confused?
– The start (into the water) was as usual, the turn was such that I tried to do something I usually don’t. But I still had strength for the second 50 m part, at the end I started breathing more often.
– A 0.16 second improved record in such a fast distance. Did you expect it?
– It was possible to expect. I didn’t have big expectations before the start, I wanted to gain experience, and I did.
– How much confidence does such a result give?
– I think it’s a stop, I checked myself and we move on. The training plan will continue, and this was a control point to see how everything works.
– Did you see that gold medalist David Popović was close to the world record?
– I didn’t see. I try not to look at him because that’s another level. I look more at lanes closer to me.
– How do you feel before the start among many sprint stars? Is there a connection with others, or do you still feel like a newcomer?
– I have a few familiar faces, one swimmer from the USA trains together. I met the same Popović during several camps, we greet each other with “hello, hello.” We know each other.
– Can you tell us what happened with the forgotten accreditation?
– It’s embarrassing to even say, it wasn’t very professional. But I got the accreditation before the start, so maybe that’s where we end (smiles).
– On Thursday, the 200 m freestyle event will begin. In which events do you feel stronger now?
– I don’t know. Usually, when I train a lot for 200 m, I swim 100 meters better. And if I prepare more for 100 m, then I swim 200 m better. So now I hope both distances will be very good (laughs).
– In the women’s 200 m freestyle event, Ieva Jurkūnaitė broke the Lithuanian record for the second time in a day. What can you say about her?
– Congratulations. Lithuanian record, she was second in the first semifinal swim, but I saw how she works in the highlands – impressive.
I have seen her only a little, just a few weeks before the championship. But she is stable every day. She is capable of reaching great heights, but it is also important that she does not fall into lows, which happens to other swimmers.
– And what makes you so good in the pool?
– I don’t consider myself very good. But I try every day, then some result comes.
– Remember your youth days in the old Panevėžys pool. What would that boy have thought then if he knew he would one day achieve such a result?
– He would have been very happy. But he would know that a lot of work is needed for such a result to come.
