Elizabeth Pelton earns Women’s 200m back-stroke gold: Day six – 2011 Pan American Games, Guadalajara
USA’s one of the most elegant back-stoke swimmers, Elizabeth Anne Pelton continued her winning streak as she earned the title of Women’s 200m back-stroke final on sixth day of the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico on Thursday, October 20.
Like the Olympic Games, Pan American Games are held every fourth year and attract participations of many international athletes.
Pelton, who won the gold medal of 4*100m Medley Relay at the 2011 World Championships proved her talent by winning her third gold medal of these Games. Previously, she earned a silver medal in the 100m back-stroke discipline along with two gold medals of
4*100m and 4*200m freestyle relay events.
She went full throttle in the four-lap event to defend her fastest qualification spot in the final round. She remained considerably ahead of her competitors throughout the 200m event. Pelton completed her first-lap in a time of 30.09 seconds and stayed one
second ahead of her team-member, Bonnie Brandon, who enveloped the same distance in 31.09 seconds.
Brandon tried her level best to devastate hopes of her former swimmer, but the 17-year-old Pelton seemed uncontrolled and kept on enhancing her lead over her opponents. She extended her lead to almost two seconds in the next round, where she clocked a time
of 1 minute and 02.63 seconds to overwhelm Brandon’s 1 minute and 04.35 seconds effort.
Subsequently, the lead was extended to three seconds in the third round, where Pelton finished her swim in 1 minute and 35.52 seconds against Brandon’s 1 minute and 38.52 seconds.
The spectators experienced Pelton’s furious efforts in the final lap, where she lengthened her lead to about four seconds, clocking a time of 2 minutes and 08.99 seconds for gold medal. Brandon posted an effort of 2 minutes and 12.57 seconds to secure silver
medal of the event.
The third spot was obtained by Fernanda Gonzalez of Mexico, who hit the wall in 2 minutes and 13.56 seconds.
In addition, the winners were awarded medals and accolades for their impressive efforts in the back-stroke discipline after completion of the session.
Tags: