Andriy Govorov pockets Men’s 50m butterfly gold: Day four – 2011 European SC Swimming Championships
Ukrainian butterfly veteran, Andriy Govorov served notice of his talent by pocketing gold medal of the Men’s 50m butterfly on last day of the 2011 European Short Course Swimming Championships in Szczecin, Poland on Sunday, December 11.
The 19-year-old Govorov experienced strong resistance from his opponents, Amaury Leveaux of France and Konrad Czerniak of Poland in the butterfly event. He qualified into the final round as second fastest swimmer behind Leveaux but with his relentless efforts in the final round, he earned gold medal of the event.
Govorov was the first swimmer to kick-off from the starting blocks. With his invincible efforts and perfect start, he gained a marginal lead over his opponents in the initial 25 metres of the race.
With his persistent efforts, he earned a lead of almost two strokes over his competitors in the first lap where Leveaux and Czerniak remained second and third fastest swimmers, respectively.
The Ukrainian expert showed his urgency towards the finishing wall in final lap, where he edged out his competitors for gold medal. With his astonishing swim, he submitted a top ranked time of 22.70 seconds for gold medal.
His title claiming effort remained 0.90 seconds slower than the European and world mark of 21.80 seconds, made by Steffen Deibler of Germany in 2009. He was 0.63 seconds behind the championship record of 22.07 seconds, owned by Johannes Dietrich of Germany from 2009.
Previously, the champion has won a silver medal in the 50m butterfly at the 2010 Dubai Short Course World Championships while a silver medal in the same event at the 2010 European titles.
He was trailed by Leveaux, who remained just 0.04 seconds slower than him on the finishing end and stepped on the podium for silver medal by reporting a time of 22.74 seconds. The bronze medal of the event was occupied by Czerniak, as he was just 0.03 seconds behind his former finisher and ended his swim with an effort of 22.77 seconds.
Govorov became apple of the eye of arena by clinching gold medal of the butterfly swim whereas the session completed after the conclusion of all events.
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