Belinda Hocking expresses her excitement on competing at FINA/Arena World Cup – Swimming News
Australian 200m back-stroke veteran, Belinda Hocking expressed her excitement on competing at the European stops of the 2011 Arena World Cup. The Arena World Cup is a seven stop competition organised by the international aquatic sport governing body, Federation
International de Natation (FINA).
The first stop of the competition is scheduled to take place in Dubai, on October 7, while the next three stops are organised in Europe. The last three of the series will be held in Asia.
The 2011 Shanghai World Championships’ 200m back-stroke silver medallist, Hocking, considers the event as a great opportunity to prepare herself for the 2012 London Olympic Games. She also won the bronze medal of 4*100m Medley relay, while representing the
Australian team at these world titles.
Her performance at these world titles was highly appreciated, while the Australian champion previously occupied a bronze finish in 200m back-stroke at the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships.
The 21-year-old Hocking will now accompany the Australian squad at the European stops of Stockholm, Mexico and Berlin. She will be swimming along her team-members which include Kennet To, Rachel Goh, Angie Bainbridge and Sally Foster while Geoff Huegill
will lead the team.
Articulating her views about the World Cup series, she said, “I really enjoy the short course racing at World Cups as it allows me to tune up my technique and work on my dives, underwater, turns and finishes against some of the best in the business.”
After her silver finish at the Shanghai titles, the Australian star is training hard as she is eyeing to make her way to the 2012 London Olympic Games. With her dominance in the distant back-stroke swim, she is working pretty well on the shorter distances
of back-stroke swim. Hocking added, “It’s also a great opportunity to ensure I get my race plan down pat ahead of next year’s Olympic Trials in Adelaide.”
She will participate in the events of 50m, 100m and 200m back-stroke at the European stops of the World Cup. Furthermore, Hocking’s position at the European legs will portray her standings at the upcoming Olympics.
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