Led by recent university graduate Katinka Hosszu, host Hungary cleaned up with four golds and eight medals overall at the European Swimming Championships Thursday. Hosszu claimed the 200-meter individual medley to add to her 400 title from the opening night, then came back 90 minutes later and swam the anchor leg when Hungary took silver in the 4x200 relay. With Hungary President Janos Ader in attendance, the team's other winners were Daniel Gyurta, who improved his own championship record in the 200 breaststroke; veteran Laszlo Cseh, who won the 200 butterfly for his second gold of the meet; and 19-year-old Boglarka Kapas, who took the grueling 800 freestyle. Also, Jonatan Kopelev won the 50 backstroke – a non-Olympic event – and the first ever gold in the competition for Israel; Jenny Mensing of Germany won the 100 backstroke; and a strong anchor leg from world record-holder Federica Pellegrini pushed Italy ahead for gold in the 4x200 relay. Hosszu won the 200 IM in 2 minutes, 10.84 seconds. Sophie Allen, one of only five British athletes at the meet, took silver in 2:11.49 and another Hungarian, Evelyn Verraszto claimed bronze in 2:11.63. “It didn't feel so good while I was swimming. For me, the 200 is a little (tougher),” said Hosszu, who will also race the 200 fly on Saturday. Hosszu graduated from the University of Southern California two weeks ago.
