Fumiko Kawanabe clinches Women’s 200m breaststroke gold – FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup
Fumiko Kawanabe of Japan clinched gold medal of the Women’s 200m breaststroke on second day of the 2012 FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Sunday, October 7.
The Japanese swimmer lived up to the expectations of her supporters as she overpowered her opponents and dominated the playoff of the discipline.
Kawanabe enjoyed a benefit of one and a half body length over her closest competitor and transpired on the finishing wall for gold medal with a wonderful timing of 2 minutes and 22.59 seconds.
The champion remained almost seven seconds slower from the championship record of 2 minutes and 15.42 seconds, made by Leisel Jones of Australia in November 2009.
Subsequently, she was 8.02 seconds slower from the world record of 2 minutes and 14.57 seconds, owned by Rebecca Soni of USA during 2009.
The gold medallist was traced by Joline Hoestman of Sweden, who remained 1.44 seconds apart and tapped the wall for silver medal by producing a nice effort of 2 minutes and 24.03 seconds.
Third best spot of the event was obtained by Tanja Smid of Slovenia, who was 0.43 seconds apart and occupied bronze medal of the race by clocking a splendid time of 2 minutes and 24.46 seconds.
Smid was traced by Jennie Johansson of Sweden, who remained nearly four body lengths behind and clocked an effort of 2 minutes and 28.00 seconds for fourth position.
Similarly, Fifth position of the race was obtained by Cheryl Lim of Singapore, who was 3.66 seconds away from upsetting her foregoing finisher and clocked an effort of 2 minutes and 31.66 seconds.
Lim was trailed by Tara-Lynn Nicholas of South Africa, who stayed considerably slower from her preceding swimmer and surfaced on the wall as sixth best finisher by clocking a time of 2 minutes and 34.25 seconds.
Nicholas’ teammate, Katheryn Meaklim was also scheduled to swim in the playoff but she withdrew her participation.
In addition, Kawanabe was happy with her gold claiming effort and said that she would try hard to meet expectations of her supporters by accomplishing the same at forthcoming swimming tournaments.
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