UF S&D: Fukuoka 2023 – Finke Sets New American Record to Earn Bronze

Bobby Finke cruised to a 7:38.67 in the 800m Freestyle to set a new American record.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Bobby Finke cruised to a 7:38.67 during the 800-meter Freestyle Final Wednesday morning, setting a new American record and earning his first medal for Team USA at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. The former Gator broke his own record (7:39.36) that he previously set at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest.

On the women’s side, Bella Sims finished sixth place overall in the 200m free finals with a 1:56.00 Wednesday morning. The incoming freshman, representing USA, closed out her World Championships advancing to both 200m and 400m free finals. She set a personal best 1:55.45 in the 200m free semifinals Tuesday morning and earned eighth place after swimming a 4:05.37 in the 400m free on July 23rd.

Men’s 100m Free:
Joshua Liendo, representing Canada, posted a 48.22 in the semifinals Wednesday morning to finish seventh in his heat. The rising sophomore advanced after finishing with a 48.03 in the prelims Tuesday night. Former Gator, Alberto Mestre, swam a 49.80 in the prelims to finish ninth in his heat.

Amro Al-Wir (Jordan) and Aleksas Savickas (Lithuania) are set to compete in the Men’s 200-meter Breaststroke Prelims tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET, with Savickas in Heat 3 and Al-Wir in Heat 5.

World Aquatics Championships 2023 continues through July 30th. Live results and a television schedule can be found here.<https://www.worldaquatics.com/where-to-watch/america>

Men’s results can be found below.

July 26th, 2023
Finals – Men’s 800m Free

  *   Bobby Finke (USA): 7:38.67 – American Record

July 26th, 2023
Semifinals – Men’s 100m Free

  *   Joshua Liendo (Canada): 48.22

July 25th, 2023
Prelims – Men’s 100m Free

  *   Joshua Liendo (Canada): 48.03
  *   Alberto Mestre (Venezuela): 49.80

Women’s results can be found below.

July 26th, 2023
Final – Women’s 200m Free

  *   Bella Sims (USA): 1:56.00

UPCOMING ACTION

July 26th, 2023
Prelims – Men’s 200m Breaststroke

  *   Aleksas Savickas (Lithuania)
  *   Amro Al-Wir (Jordan)

July 27th, 2023
Prelims – Men’s 50m Free

  *   Alberto Mestre (Venezuela)
  *   Joshua Liendo (Canada)

Prelims – Men’s 100m Butterfly

  *   Joshua Liendo (Canada)
  *   Eric Friese (Germany)

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