Australian swimmers shine at the 2012 EnergyAustralia Swimming Championships – Part 6
After the exceptional performance of James Magnussen in the 100m freestyle, the expectations of the Australian fans elevated and they could not wait to see the nerve-wracking performances of their national swimmers in the remaining events of day five.
The fourth event of the fifth day was Men’s 200m backstroke semi-final, where Matson Lawson smothered his opponents and sustained his position to enter the final round. The 19-year-old Lawson made a substantial development in his timing as he touched the finishing blockade with the timing of 1 minute and 58.53 seconds to earn his way into the playoff as top fastest swimmer.
Lawson’s tempting effort in the second round was just 0.05 seconds ahead of the Olympic A-Time Qualification Standard of 1 minute and 58.48 seconds. Nevertheless, he had no difficulty in producing a time well under the Olympic B-Time Standard of 2 minutes and 02.63 seconds.
The fastest qualifying swimmer was followed by his strongest challenger, Joshua Beaver, who stayed almost half body length slower from him and clocked an effort of 1 minute and 59.03 seconds. The 19-year-old Beaver was chased by Ashley Delaney, who was almost one stroke slower from his former finisher and made his way to the final round by submitting a time of 1 minute and 59.20 seconds.
Next was the Women’s 200m butterfly final, where Jessicah Schipper displayed her ruthless aggression and booked her spot in the Australian team to London Olympics by snaring gold medal of the event.
The 25-year-old Schipper was prominently under the Olympic A-Time Standard of 2 minutes and 08.95 seconds, as she acquired gold medal of the discipline by posting a time of 2 minutes and 06.93 seconds.
The champion remained almost one body length ahead of Samantha Hamill, who seized silver medal of the discipline by ending her race in a time of 2 minutes and 08.92 seconds. The second position holder was trailed by 22-year-old Amy Smith, who remained considerably slower from her but succeeded in securing bronze medal of the discipline by reporting a time of 2 minutes and 10.71 seconds.
Subsequently, the Australian breaststroke expert, Brenton Rickard defended his title of the Men’s 200m breaststroke swim by tapping the finishing wall with the timing of 2 minutes and 11.03 seconds. He also ensured his berth to London Games as his time was 0.71 seconds under the Olympic A-Time Standard of 2 minutes and 11.74 seconds.
Jeremy Meyer stayed nearly one body length behind Rickard and settled on the finishing end for silver medal as he clocked a time of 2 minutes and 12.76 seconds. His wonderful pace was followed by Nichol Schafer, who remained marginally slower from him on the finishing spot and missed his place to London by posting 2 minutes and 12.96 seconds.
Following that, Jayden Hadler dominated the semi-final of Men’s 200m IM by posting a time of 1 minute and 59.69 seconds. His time easily met the Olympic A-Time Standard of 2 minutes and 00.17 seconds.
Hadler was followed by Daniel Tranter, who stayed just a touch away from him but secured his London spot by clocking 1 minute and 59.88 seconds. Tranter was traced by Thomas Fraser-Holmes, who failed to earn his way in the Australian team to London but reached the podium for bronze medal by posting 2 minutes and 00.12 seconds.
To be continued in Part 7.
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