LOS ANGELES (United States) — World record-holder Summer McIntosh stormed to a 400m individual medley victory in the Pan Pacific Championships, bouncing back from day-one disappointment in the 200m freestyle.
The 19-year-old Canadian clocked 4min 28.01sec in a wire-to-wire victory, relentlessly stretching her advantage over the last 200m to finish 3.49sec ahead of Australian runner-up Jenna Forrester, who claimed Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow last month.
McIntosh, who counted the 400m medley among her three gold medals at the Paris Olympics, was coming off a runner-up finish to Australian Lani Pallister in the 200m free.
“I really wanted to attack the race. Coming off yesterday I was really pumped up,” said McIntosh, who also owns three world titles in the event.
“To be honest I’m not happy with that time still,” added McIntosh according to AFP.
“I know I’m capable of more but it’s good to get the win,” said McIntosh, who is now training in Texas with Michael Phelps’ mentor Bob Bowman as she eyes an ambitious multi-event program at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Paris Olympics silver medallist Tomoyuki Matsushita won the men’s 400m medley to give Japan a first gold of the four-day meeting that brings together top swimmers from non-European nations.
Matsushita held off a charging Carson Foster over the final freestyle leg, winning in 4:06.75 with the American, who earned bronze in Paris, taking silver in 4:07.11. Bobby Finke was third in 4:07.59.
The trip to Southern California also had Matsushita looking toward 2028, the 21-year-old telling the crowd that he’d be back for more gold in two years’ time.
Jack Alexy led a US one-two in the men’s 100m freestyle, winning in 47.14 as Patrick Sammon touched second in 47.62. Brazilian Gui Caribe was third in 47.89.
Alexy said he was motivated by US teammate Chris Guiliano’s impressive 47.16 to win the “B” final as he uncorked a meet record to win in the same pool where he finished seventh at the US championships in July.
