SwimSwam swimming news: Video edit - Coleman Hodges MEN'S 200 backstroke -- FINALS - 2014 Arena Grand Prix in Charlotte - Reported by SwimSwam.com / Braden Keith A late-breaking candidate for swim of the meet, Arkady Vyatchanin of the New York Athletic Club (he trains with the Gator Swim Club) dominated the men's 200 backstroke on his way to a 1:55.33. That is the fastest time in the career of the country-less former Russian international outside of a full-body polyurethane suit era in 2008 and 2009. He tore his way to a 55.64 over the first 100 meters, which left him a second-and-a-half ahead of Colombian Omar Pinzon. One might guess at that point that he would start giving up ground, especially to the likes of the defending Olympic gold medalist in this event Tyler Clary. But in the third length, Vyatchanin built his lead even further, and he and Clary split nearly dead-on coming home to give Vyatchanin an impressive victory. That time leaves him 5th in the World Rankings this year. Clary was 2nd in 1:58.03, and Pinzon was 3rd in 1:59.76. That's the best swim we've seen yet in the comeback Pinzon, who is working his way back into shape with the Bolles School in Florida. He's returning from a lengthy drug suspension after eventually winning his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport by proving that his doping sample was badly mishandled by a testing lab. The top-finishing junior was Bluefish Swim Club 18-year old Connor Green in 2:00.41.

• published: 18 May 2014
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