Pavel Sankovich, Ilya Shimanovich, Svetlana Khokhlova and Alexandra Gerasimenya claim European medals
In his individual event, Yevgeny Tsurkin claimed silver, covering the 50m butterfly in 22.56 seconds, and setting a Belarusian record. Ukraine’s Andrei Govorov captured gold, with a finishing time of 22.36 seconds, while Belarusian Pavel Sankovich was fifth (22.82 seconds).
Sadly, team leader Alexandra Gerasimenya failed to show her usual form and, although she reached the final rounds twice, was placed only 7th (100m freestyle) and 5th (50m backstroke) among the top eight sportswomen.
Alexandra’s only medal, bronze, was in the mixed combined 4x50m relay, alongside team members Pavel Sankovich, Ilya Shimanovich and Svetlana Khokhlova. During the finals, the Italian, Russian and German teams led for most of the race but, in the final, fourth stage, Alexandra managed to steam ahead of the German swimmer, and Holland’s Ranomi Kromowidjojo, well known for her speed.
The Belarusian men’s team also took bronze, in the 4x50m freestyle relay. Yevgeny Tsurkin, Anton Latkin, Victor Staselovich and Artem Machekin’s time of 1 minute and 25.01 seconds is a new national record.
On the final day of the continental forum in Netanya, the men’s team of Pavel Sankovich, Ilya Shimanovich, Yevgeny Tsurkin and Anton Latkin were again placed third: in the 4x50m combined relay, taking bronze.
As a result, Belarus occupied 15th place in the medal rankings, with one silver and three bronze.
By Yegor Glebov
