FOR

4th World Championships

FROM PAGE 14

“There’s kind of like, ‘what just happened?’ but then also totally understanding what just happened.”

The top qualifier in prelims, Ryan Held, also won the evening final, finishing in 21.50 seconds — just ahead of Jack Alexy (21.63)

Two US Open records also fell at the IU weeks,” said Nairn, who would have to ranked in the top 16 in order to be invited to Budapest, if he doesn’t make the standard.

Natatorium on Saturday night.

Kate Douglass set a new mark in the women’s 200 individual medley with a time of 2:07.09, beating out Alex Walsh (2:07.89). And Bobby Finke cruised to a victory in the men’s 800 free in a record 7:40.34 — nearly eight seconds faster than second-place finisher Ross Dant.

In the two other events on the final night of the meet, Carson Foster beat Shaine Casas in the men’s 200 IM while Abbey Weitzeil held off Gretchen Walsh to win the women’s 50 free.

Foster was clocked at 1:56.19 and Casas at 1:57.47.

Weitzeil finished in 24.00 seconds while Walsh posted a 24.31.

“Last year I came last in the Oslo Diamond League, so it’s amazing for me to be able to come first.”

After he opened with 24-4 ¼ (7.42m) and followed with 25-7 ¼ (7.80m), Nairn took he took the lead on his third attempt and maintained it the rest of the way. It was his only mark over 26-3 (8.0m), but it didn’t matter because his nearest rival Militadis Tentoglou of Greece did 26-5 ¾ (8.07m) for second.

“Before the competition, I had my whole mindset changed and that helped me to jump further,” Nairn said.

He finished the competition with his final three jumps of 25-1 ¼ (7.65m), 23-10 ¼ (7.27m) and 24-4 ¼ (7.42m), but he was never in any danger of relinquishing his top spot.

Although he has a lifetime best of 26-11 ¾ (8.22m), Nairn has not yet surpassed the qualifying standard of 27-0 ¾ (8.25m) for the World Championships, but he’s expected to be make the trip on an invite, based on his world rankings as World Athletics completes the field for the championships. Now,

KATIE Ledecky reacts after winning the women’s 1,500-metre freestyle at the U.S. nationals swimming meet, Saturday, July 1, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/ Darron Cummings) on his way back home this week, Nairn is scheduled to compete in the Nationals from Wednesday to Friday at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium before he goes through his final stages for the Worlds.

“I will continue working hard for the Budapest World Championships and I aim to get a medal there,” Nairn said.

After qualifying for the finals at the Commonwealth Games last year, Nairn made the bold prediction that he would win the title.

Two days later, he came back in the final and lived up to his expectations. Can he do the same in Budapest? Only time will tell.