The APEX Predator X takes on the World in Budapest

The APEX Predator X race suit is the new generation of FINA-approved APEX high performance race suits by Funky Trunks and is the go-to suit for many of the world's best swimmers. Four F-Teamers will be putting the X up against the world in Hungary for the 2022 FINA World Championships in just a few weeks' time. With an internal X design bonding around the hips to provide added comfort, without compromising compression, and seam tapes and ultrasonic bonding, the Predator X will withstand immense tension while isolating key muscle groups for added compression.

From June 18-25 in Budapest, Andrii Govorov (UKR), Isaac Cooper (AUS), Lewis Clareburt (NZ) and Brendon Smith (AUS) will pull on their APEX Predator X race suits at the benchmark meet of 2022.

New to the F-Team and set to make his Funky Trunks debut on the big stage in Europe, Ukrainian World Record Holder Andrii Govorov will have all eyes on him in the sprint Butterfly events. With some hidden, personal race-day rituals that helped him to break the 50m Butterfly world record back in 2018, we are going to have to watch with open-eyes so as to not miss a beat as he chases his own record. “The APEX makes me feel better in my kick when I swim butterfly,” he said.

Also destined for sprints in Budapest, Aussie Isaac Cooper is currently in Slovakia with the Dolphins for staging camp. Cooper is set to race the 50m and 100m Backstroke events and is a big fan of the X. “I love to wear the APEX suit. Especially as a backstroker I feel it has a good balance of being tight and compressive, as well as having a good range.” The 17 year old country boy who has settled well into city life swimming for Rackley in Brisbane prefers to keep things light pre-race. Nothing too serious, focused and fun.

The 400m Individual Medley is touted as one of the most gruelling events at any swimming competition. Lucky for us, we get to sit back and watch two of our men, Brendon Smith and Lewis Clareburt, go head to head again in their APEX Predator X race suits. Almost inseparable in Tokyo, the men went toe-to-toe, with Brendon prevailing and securing the bronze medal. The “across the ditch” rivalry is extra special for Aussie Smith and New Zealander Clareburt, both being the fastest men in history in their respective nations for this event.

Despite a credible 400m Freestyle performance at the Australian Trials, Smith will be sharpening his focus to compete in the 200/400 IM double in Budapest. Brendon’s unique pre-race ritual is that he doesn’t actually have one, but he's looking forward to having his parents in the stands after competing in Tokyo without any of his support team there to cheer him on.

Clareburt appreciates the fit of his APEX as one of its standout features. “I like how I can pull it up high and use it like a high-waisted suit due to the shape of my body.” The New Zealand Olympian is poised to mix it with the world’s best yet again this year, again contesting numerous events including his pet 400m IM. “You need to have a pretty well-rounded suit to swim the medley and the APEX Predator X helps with that.”

In the countdown to Worlds give these men a follow and be sure to check them out in their APEX Predator X racing suits.

@brendon_bsmith +  @lewis_clareburt + @mrisaaccooper + @govorov_andrii