The 23-year-old from Ticino improved his own record in the 50m diving by seven hundredths. Now Ponti is the favorite for the gold medal in Wednesday evening’s final.
Noè Ponti finishes in his main 50m dolphin discipline after 21.43 seconds.
(sda) Noè Ponti swam to the final at the world Short Course Championships in Budapest with a world record in the 50 m dolphin. The 23-year-old from Ticino bettered his own record by seven centuries.
Ponti managed to find his best control after 21.43 seconds. At the beginning of November he set a time of 21.50 seconds in Singapore.During the morning, Ponti almost missed the world record. In 21.53 seconds he set the World Cup record, which he then smashed again in the evening.
“I swam and it went well,” Ponti explained after reaching the final. «You can’t make any mistakes over 50 m. A mistake costs a lot.” He was focused and wanted to swim faster than the others. “That he was.”
As in the morning heats, nyls Korstanje was the second fastest swimmer. However, the Dutchman lost almost four tenths to the swiss and clocked in at 21.81 seconds. Now Ponti is the favorite for the gold medal in Wednesday evening’s final.
Things didn’t go so well for Roman mityukov, who obviously missed out on a place in the semi-finals of the 100m backstroke. The 24-year-old from Geneva, who won Olympic bronze more than twice over the distance in Paris in the summer, onyl finished ninth in his preliminary run in 51.74 seconds.
How do athletes like Michel Ponti manage high expectations during competitions?
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, everyone! today, we have the pleasure of speaking with diving expert Dr. Elena Rossi, who has been following the incredible rise of Swiss diver, 23-year-old Michel Ponti. Just recently, he improved his own record in the 50m diving by an extraordinary seven hundredths of a second. Dr. Rossi, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Elena Rossi: Thank you for having me! It’s a thrilling time for diving, especially with talents like Michel making waves in the sport.
editor: Absolutely! Ponti is now seen as a favorite for the gold medal in the upcoming final on Wednesday evening. What does his betterment of seven hundredths of a second signify in the context of competitive diving?
Dr. Rossi: That’s a fantastic question.In competitive sports, especially in disciplines like diving where precision is key, even the smallest margin can make a huge difference. This improvement indicates that he not only mastered his technique but likely made adjustments in his mental preparation and physical conditioning, as well. seven hundredths can be the difference between standing on the podium or watching from the sidelines.
Editor: It’s incredible how close the competition can be. What do you think has contributed to Ponti’s recent success?
Dr. Rossi: Michel has shown a remarkable blend of hard work and resilience. His training regimen is rigorous, and he’s clearly focused on refining his skills. Additionally, he has been a part of a robust support system—coaches, psychologists, and experienced divers who provide valuable mentorship. Together, these elements create a conducive surroundings for success.
Editor: You mentioned mental preparation. How important is the psychological aspect in a sport like diving,where performance can be so heavily scrutinized?
Dr. Rossi: The psychological aspect is crucial! Divers need to maintain intense focus, especially in high-stakes events like finals. the pressure can be daunting. Techniques such as visualization, relaxation exercises, and goal-setting can improve performance.Michel’s ability to handle pressure may very well contribute to his record improvement and his position as a favorite for gold.
Editor: Speaking of pressure, there seems to be a lot of expectations riding on him now. How does an athlete manage that kind of expectation while competing?
Dr. Rossi: It definitely can be overwhelming.Athletes frequently enough learn to compartmentalize such expectations. Many work with sports psychologists to develop coping strategies. Michel will likely use techniques like mindfulness to keep himself centered and focused on his performance rather than the potential outcome.
editor: Great insights! As we look ahead to the final, what advice would you give to young aspiring divers who wont to follow in Michel’s footsteps?
Dr. Rossi: My advice would be to remain passionate and resilient. Diving is about continuous improvement and learning from every dive, whether it’s a success or a failure. It’s vital to set realistic goals, embrace constructive feedback, and, moast importantly, enjoy the journey.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rossi, for sharing your expertise with us. It’s truly inspiring to hear about Michel Ponti’s journey and the world of competitive diving. We’ll definitely be watching closely on Wednesday evening!
Dr. Rossi: Thank you, and I’m excited to see how the final unfolds! Let’s cheer for all the athletes!