The U.S. National Championships witnessed a dramatic turn of events during the day three prelims, specifically in the 400 Individual Medley (IM). Alex Walsh, a prominent swimmer from Virginia, initially led the race. However, the spotlight quickly shifted when Emma Weyant, the Olympic silver medalist from 2021, was disqualified shortly after seemingly finishing second. This unexpected disqualification has become a major talking point, leaving many wondering: why was Emma Weyant disqualified?
Weyant’s disqualification stemmed from a violation during the breaststroke portion of the race. Video review confirmed that Weyant performed a dolphin kick, which is an illegal move in breaststroke according to swimming regulations. This infraction, although perhaps subtle to the untrained eye, is strictly enforced in competitive swimming to maintain fairness and adherence to the defined strokes within the IM event.
The moment the disqualification was announced at the IUPUI Natatorium, a collective gasp echoed through the venue. Weyant, visibly surprised and seeking clarity, immediately exited the pool and approached her coach, Anthony Nesty. This incident immediately brought back memories of a similar situation six years prior when Ella Eastin faced disqualification in the same event. Eastin’s DQ was due to a “Lochte rule” violation – dolphin-kicking on her back during the freestyle leg of the medley. These instances highlight the stringent rules and meticulous officiating in high-stakes swimming competitions.
Prior to the disqualification, the race itself was shaping up to be a thrilling contest. Walsh, known for her strong performances, maintained a comfortable lead for the majority of the 400 meters. Weyant, demonstrating her characteristic resilience and closing speed, began to close the gap in the final stretch, challenging Walsh for the top spot. Walsh ultimately touched the wall first with a time of 4:37.84, narrowly ahead of Weyant’s 4:38.08. However, the excitement of a close finish was quickly overshadowed by the subsequent announcement of Weyant’s disqualification.
With Weyant out of contention, Alex Walsh secured the top seed for the final. Katie Grimes of Sandpipers of Nevada also delivered a noteworthy performance, finishing under the 4:40 mark. Grimes initially led the race but was overtaken by Leah Hayes of Fox Valley during the breaststroke leg. Grimes then rallied in the freestyle portion to regain second place, finishing in 4:39.71. Hayes secured the third seed with a time of 4:40.91. These results set the stage for an intense final, with Walsh and Grimes emerging as the frontrunners for World Championships spots.
The absence of Weyant from the upcoming World Championships in Fukuoka is a significant blow to the American team. As a silver medalist in Tokyo and a bronze medalist at the previous World Championships, Weyant was anticipated to be a strong contender. Despite her disqualification, the U.S. still boasts strong contenders in Walsh and Grimes, both capable of challenging for medals on the world stage. Grimes, in particular, earned a silver medal at the Budapest World Championships last year, finishing behind Summer McIntosh. While McIntosh remains a dominant force after setting a world record of 4:25.87 in April, Grimes holds the third-fastest time globally this year, positioning her as a potential medalist.
Other swimmers who secured spots in the final included Lilla Bognar, who achieved a personal best time of 4:43.28, Justina Kozan, Lucy Bell, Zoe Dixon, and Kayla Han. Notably absent from the event were Hali Flickinger, Leah Smith, and Bella Sims. Flickinger, despite competing in the 200 butterfly earlier in the competition, withdrew from the 400 IM. Smith and Sims, having already qualified for the World Championships team in the 800 freestyle relay, opted to focus on other events.
The disqualification of Emma Weyant serves as a stark reminder of the precision and rigorous enforcement of rules in elite swimming. While disappointing for Weyant and her fans, the focus now shifts to the remaining competitors vying for spots at the World Championships and the opportunity to represent the United States on the international stage. The finals of the 400 IM promise to be an exciting showdown between Alex Walsh, Katie Grimes, and Leah Hayes, as they compete for national titles and global recognition.
