Austrian Swimmer Felix Auboeck Beats American Olympian Kieran Smith at Knoxville Pro Swim Series

Austrian swimmer Felix Auboeck held his mojo tight after getting a disheartening 4th position in the 400m free swimming event in the Tokyo Olympics. The former Michigan mentee appeared in the 800m free event as well. However, the medal glory kept a distance from him in both events. So coming to the Olympic vicinity again, Felix Auboeck decided to give a try to a new coaching address and championships he previously missed. The change in performance was evident. 

The 400 LC m free event this time missed a hustler, Drew Kibler, in the pool. But Felix Auboeck couldn’t care about anything between him and the final yellow line. 

Felix Auboeck etches his name in the TYR Pro Series 2024

The 400 LC m Free event in the TYR Pro Swim Series saw some incredible performances this year. Last year, the top three positions showcased the names in the list as Ahmed Hafnaoui, Kieran Smith, and Bobby Finke. Subsequently, some American phenoms, Drew Kibler and Jay Litherland, joined the list. So the level of hurriedness in the pool was evident.

This time on Day 2 of the TYR Pro Swim Series 2024, the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center attested to the same high run. But the Austrian swimmer, Felix Auboeck, snatched the limelight in the prelims and the final heat.

After the swimming race, SwimSwam Live added the clockings and the respective mentions of all the podium holders. The concerned caption read, “2024 Pro Swim Series Knoxville: Day 2 Finals M 400 Free: Felix Auboeck – 3:46.78 Lucas Henveaux – 3:48.70  Kieran Smith – 3:49.63”

The show fervently reached the rise and rise of the Austrian swimmer, with Lucas Henveaux making a stellar transformation. After digesting a defeat in the European Championship in 2022, the Cal swim club member felt the victory lane again, this time. But the day belonged to the Austrian swimmer. 

The days of the Tokyo Olympics 

Felix Auboeck must have remembered his outing in the Tokyo Olympics that thoroughly showcased all the 400m free spearheads in one place. However, Auboeck’s constant striving started from the semi-final moment when Kieran Smith took the sixth seeding. But Felix Auboeck claimed the second seeding there. However, the penultimate day loomed a dark cloud on the performance of the 27-year-old swimmer. He could only clock 3:44.07, a much dismal show compared to his semifinal stint. 

Read more: Bobby Finke Defends 1500M Freestyle Title With a Gold at TYR Pro Series 2024

On the other hand, Kieran Smith bagged the bronze medal with an improved performance in his semifinal execution. So the day 2 performance of the Austrian swimmer in TYR Pro hinted at a better Olympic year this time. 

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