James Magnussen beats Eamon Sullivan at the 2011 Telstra Australian Swimming Championship
19-year-old James Magnussen and James Robertson eliminated the 2008 Beijing silver medalist Eamon Sullivan in the 100m freestyle event at the 2011 Telstra Australian Swimming Championship in Sydney on Tuesday.
Sullivan was the titleholder for the 100m freestyle event for five years, but he has now been displaced by the two teenage swimmers. The two of them have booked their spot in the Australian Swimming team to compete at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai
this July. Eamon, who failed to qualify in any individual events for the World Championships will now assist them in the 4*100m freestyle relay team at the Shanghai Aquatic Centre in July.
Magnussen had already proved his eligibility for the crown by qualifying as the fastest swimmer in the semi-final and then in the final. He earned the crown in an astonishing time of 48.29 seconds and stayed ahead of Robertson, who touched the wall in 48.72
seconds while the former champion appeared for third in a time of 48.89 seconds.
Magnussen, with his magnificent timing has reached the top of the early World rankings for 2011. He was very happy of his victory, saying that he had a feeling in himself that he can own the title of the 100m event.
"I always thought I had a good chance of winning it and that's been my aim since Commonwealth Games anyway, to win this race so it's just amazing to come out and do it," Magnussen added.
The silver medalist for the event, Robertson also expressed his happiness saying that he is very delighted after posting a time under the Fédération Internationale de Natation time qualification standards. Robertson also acknowledged his Coach John Fowlie
for the greatest contribution in his victory.
Sullivan admitted that his selection in the team for Shanghai is a bonus for him and said, "I had a lot of doubts coming into this meet with everything that has been going on the past few months.”
Sullivan has challenged the hopes of Australian come-back king Ian Thorpe of his selection in the Australian team to the 2012 London Olympics, but now faces the dilemma of regaining his titles next year.
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