Unshakeable: Poland and Indonesia Continue to Dominate

The first Speed final of the Salt Lake City triple-header concluded yesterday. After a record setting qualification round from Team USA’s John Brosler, the stage was set for an exciting final. Despite his near-world-record setting pace, Brosler could not keep his  first place position. In the end, the Indonesian team remained unshakeable.

After an incredible victory in Seoul a few weeks ago, the Indonesian team became the ones to beat. In Korea, Kiromal Katibin set a world record at 5.17 seconds. Brosler’s exciting 5.2 second run outpaced the Indonesians by over .2 seconds in qualifiers and suggested victory for the American record holder. In the end, Brosler lost out on his podium placement after failing to outpace his teammate Noah Bratschi in the quarter-final. However, Bratschi had an exceptional competition and concluded his event with a silver medal.

This changing of the guard shows that the American team has depth, but lacks consistency. By comparison, Indonesia appears cemented to sub-six-second runs. This weekend, the Indonesian team only sent two male competitors and both earned medals. Their athletes, Kiromal Katibin and Veddriq Leonardo, took gold and bronze respectively.

While their dominating performance between World Cups impresses, the main story last night came from the Polish Women’s Team. Although they climbed well a few weeks ago, yesterday’s result was special. Miroslaw and the Kalucka sisters swept Salt Lake City’s podium. While world record holder Aleksandra Miroslaw led this charge with her second consecutive gold medal victory, Aleksandra and Natalia Kalucka showed their ever increasing consistencies.

Additionally, Boulder qualifiers began this morning. Semi-finals will be live streamed tomorrow at 12:55 pm ET, here. 

Result

Women

1 – Aleksandra Miroslaw (POL)

2 – Aleksandra Kalucka (POL)

3 – Natalia Kalucka (POL)

Men

1 – Kiromal Katibin (INA)

2 – Noah Bratschi (USA)

3 – Veddriq Leonardo (INA)

Featured image of Kiromal Katibin by Daniel Gajda