At the international para-swimming meet in Turkey, Czech para-swimmer David Kratochvíl broke the world record in the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 55.03 seconds, shaving 31 hundredths of a second off his previous career best, according to reports from the Czech Swimming Federation (ČSPS) and Deník.cz. Kratochvíl’s performance anchors a surging Czech medal count that includes four golds for the 18-year-old athlete and strong podium finishes from teammate Agáta Koupilová.
David Kratochvíl Smashes 100-Meter Freestyle World Record
Entering the 100-meter freestyle as a clear medal favorite, Kratochvíl demonstrated his dominance from the opening meters. According to ČSPS reports, he established a lead of more than one and a half seconds by the turn before stopping the clock at 55.03. The five-time European champion from earlier this year described the swim as an overwhelming success. “Total bombex! It’s a bomb and that race was super from the start,” Kratochvíl said in ČSPS coverage, adding that the world record served as the absolute cherry on top of rigorous training cycles.
Kratochvíl’s gold in the 100-meter freestyle builds on a prolific championship campaign. According to Deník.cz, the 18-year-old athlete—who secured a complete medal set at the Paris Games last year—has accumulated four gold medals, one silver, and two bronzes at the Turkey meet. His competition schedule spans all swimming strokes, individual medleys, and distances ranging from 50 to 400 meters. “On the last fifty, on the last hundred, I heard all the spectators. That kicked me so much and at the end, when the whole stadium was roaring, I knew it was there,” Kratochvíl told Deník.cz, highlighting the atmosphere after breaking a record he noted had stood for thirty years.
Agáta Koupilová Secures Silver Hattrick in Turkey
Expanding the Czech team’s medal haul, 26-year-old paraplavkyně Agáta Koupilová captured a silver medal in the 100-meter freestyle for competitors with cerebral palsy, finishing behind Italy’s Monica Boggioni with a time of 1:25.96. According to ČSPS, this performance marks Koupilová’s second medal of the meet. Deník.cz further reported that the swim completed a “silver hattrick” across kraul events for Koupilová, lifting the overall Czech team tally to 11 medals, consisting of 4 golds, 4 silvers, and 3 bronzes.
“Super. I’m glad it turned out so nicely for this silver. The time is also great, actually the best this year,” Koupilová told ČSPS, noting a slight lingering desire to break the Czech national record in the event. Koupilová’s campaign in Turkey is far from complete, as she prepares for her preferred 200-meter freestyle event. “I’m looking forward to the 200, that’s my main distance that I like the most,” she said.
Did You Know? The broader Czech delegation’s success at the Turkey meet has also been bolstered by contributions from athletes like Arnošt Petráček, who added a bronze medal to the team’s total, according to Deník.cz reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What world record did David Kratochvíl break in Turkey?
According to ČSPS, David Kratochvíl set a new world record in the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 55.03 seconds, improving his previous personal best by 31 hundredths of a second.
How many medals has Kratochvíl won at the meet?
Deník.cz reports that Kratochvíl’s medal tally at the Turkey competition stands at four gold medals, one silver, and two bronzes.
What classification and event did Agáta Koupilová medal in?
Agáta Koupilová, a competitor with cerebral palsy swimming in class S5 according to Deník.cz, won silver in the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 1:25.96.
What are the upcoming events for the Czech para-swimmers?
According to the source reports, Kratochvíl is scheduled to compete in the 100-meter znak (backstroke) on the final day of the championship, while Koupilová prepares for her signature 200-meter freestyle race.
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