Haley Anderson clinches Women’s 1500m freestyle gold medal: Day five – 2011 World University Games
Haley Anderson clinched the title of Women’s 1500m freestyle discipline on the fifth day of the 2011 World University Games, which took place in Shenzhen, China.
Anderson of USA emerged as the fastest swimmer of the long distance freestyle swim, as she conquered the title of the event in a remarkable time of 16 minutes and 21.72 seconds. Her effort was nearly 16 seconds slower than the Game Record of 16 minute and
05.90 seconds, made by Flavia Rigamonti of Switzerland in 2007. Likewise, the gold medallist also stayed almost 39 seconds above the world mark of 15 minutes and 42.54 seconds, set by Kate Ziegler of USA, during 2007.
The American champion was trailed Melania Felicitas Costa Schmid of Spain, who remained only 0.07 seconds slower on the finishing wall and occupied the second position, with a timing of 16 minutes and 21.79 seconds. The top two finishers were in a prominent
lead over their following swimmer, Lauren Boyle of New Zealand, who earned bronze medal of the event with a timing of 16 minutes and 26.37 seconds.
Anderson became the arena’s favourite in the first round of the swim, where she completed her round in a time of 1 minute and 03.77 seconds and emerged as the fastest swimmer of the race. Then, the American demonstrated her expertise in the 30-lap swim,
where she remained unbeatable throughout the event.
Nevertheless, the fourth position of the swim was secured by Megan Gilchrist of Great Britain, who remained 1.12 seconds slower than her former finisher and appeared on the wall, with a timing of 16 minutes and 27.49 seconds. Gilchrist was followed by Chika
Yonenaga of Japan, who remained nearly eight seconds slower than her and clocked a time of 16 minutes and 35.00 seconds for fifth position.
In the meantime, Ayano Koguchi of Japan accomplished the sixth finest spot of the event, as she remained 2.48 seconds slower than her foregoing finisher and ended her swim in a time of 16 minutes and 37.48 seconds. She was followed by Martina De Memme of
Italy, who was 0.64 seconds slower than Koguchi and clocked a seventh fastest time of 16 minutes and 38.12 seconds. Roxanne Tammadge of South Africa was the eighth fastest swimmer of the 1500m event, as she settled on the concluding wall with a timing of 16
minutes and 46.85 seconds.
Furthermore, the session ended with the breath-taking efforts of all finalists, while the podium finishers were invited on the victory stand for their immaculate swims after the session.
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