Belinda Hocking grabs Women’s 200m backstroke gold – EnergyAustralia Swimming Championships
Belinda Hocking of Albury grabbed gold medal of the Women’s 200m backstroke on day seven of the 2012 EnergyAustralia Swimming Championships at the South Australia Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Adelaide on Wednesday, March 21.
The 21-year-old Hocking upset her challengers by winning gold medal of the discipline. She confronted strong battle from Meagen Nay of St Peters Western Swim Club but with her strong determination, she earned her way to the podium for gold medal.
The 23-year-old took marginal lead over Hocking in the first lap of the event, where she reached the other end of the pool by submitting a time of 30.28 seconds. She was followed by Hocking, who remained 0.23 seconds slower and completed her first lap in
a time of 30.51 seconds.
The 21-year-old Hocking geared up her efforts in the second lap, where she surpassed Nay and ended her initial 100 metres of the swim by submitting a time of 1 minute and 01.94 seconds. She was followed by Nay, who ended her first half of the race by submitting
a time of 1 minute and 02.09 seconds.
The same continued in third lap, where Nay tried hard to upset her strongest competitor but she failed to prove her mettle, as Hocking sustained her position and ended her 150 metres of the swim by submitting a time of 1 minute and 34.08 seconds. Nay remained
0.38 seconds slower and ended her third lap by touching the wall in a time of 1 minute and 34.46 seconds.
The final lap was very decisive, where both swimmers remained in a tight leash, but with her unmatchable leg action, Hocking paved her way to the finishing end for gold medal by posting 2 minutes and 06.68 seconds. Nay settled on the finishing end for silver
medal as she tapped the wall with the timing of 2 minutes and 07.83 seconds.
The silver medallist was followed by Mikka Sheridan of Chandler, who remained almost three seconds slower and clocked 2 minutes and 10.33 seconds for bronze medal.
Furthermore, the podium finishers received their accolades at prize distribution ceremony of the championship.
Tags: