Blair Evans seizes Women's 200m freestyle gold: Day one – 2011 Swimming World Cup, Beijing
Blair Catherine Evans of Australia served notice of her talent by seizing gold medal of Women's 200m freestyle on foremost day of the 2011 Swimming World Cup in Beijing, China on Tuesday, November 8.
Beijing is the sixth juncture of seven-stage World Cup series, planned by the international aquatics sport managing body, Federation Internationale De Natation (FINA).
The event was filled with the participation of four Australian and four Chinese swimmers, where the three Australian swimmers proved their eligibility for podium finishes.
The title of the 200m event was captured by Evans, who clocked a phenomenal time of 1 minute and 54.81 seconds. With her outstanding effort, she remained 0.22 seconds faster than her team-member Merindah Meroo Dingjan, who captured silver medal with an effort
of 1 minute and 55.03 seconds.
Subsequently, their team-mate Kylie Jayne Palmer remained 0.72 seconds behind Dingjan and completed the podium by posting a time of 1 minute and 55.75 seconds for bronze medal.
The gold medallist remained nearly 3.50 seconds slower from improving the world record of 1 minute and 51.17 seconds, made by Federica Pellegrini of Italy, in Istanbul during 2009. She also remained 2.79 seconds slower than the World Cup mark of 1 minute
and 52.08 seconds, set by USA's Allison Schmitt in 2011.
The 20-year-old Evans followed the lead of Dingjan in the first three rounds, but elevated her efforts in the final round to ensure her top finish on the podium. Dingjan completed her first half of the race in a time of 56.40 seconds as compared to Evans's
56.78 seconds effort.
The battle continued in the next round where Dingjan kept dictating terms to her strongest rival and ended her third round with an effort of 1 minute and 25.94 seconds.
Nevertheless, Evans accelerated her efforts in the final round, where she clocked a time of 28.65 seconds to post 1:54.81 minutes on the board. Her thrilling efforts devastated hopes of her competitor and she cemented her place on top of the victory stand.
In addition, the winners received awards and accolades for their immaculate efforts after the conclusion of session.
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