James Magnussen pockets Men’s 100m freestyle gold: Day one – 2012 NSW State Open Championships
World champion, James Magnussen pocketed gold medal of the Men’s 100m freestyle on foremost day of the 2012 New South Wales (NSW) State Open Championships at the Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre on Friday, February 10.
The 20-year-old Magnussen continued his nerve-wrecking performance in early 2012 as he gathered gold medal of the 100m event. Magnussen, who won gold medal of the same discipline with a timing of 48.05 seconds at last month’s South Australian meet, remained comparatively slower than his season’s best, but managed to prove his mettle over his opponents.
He was the quickest swimmer to jump off the starting blocks. With his exceptional efforts, he gained marginal lead from his competitors, but Cameron McEvoy hesitated to let-up and engaged him in a neck-to-neck competition.
He faced tough competition from McEvoy in the first lap, but out-touched him on the first turn by a margin of just 0.01 seconds. With his relentless efforts, Magnussen completed his first lap of the race with a timing of 23.75 seconds. He was trailed by 17-year-old McEvoy, who was just a nail away from his former swimmer and ended his initial half of the swim with an effort of 23.76 seconds.
In the second half, the spectators witnessed mind-blowing performance of Magnussen, who elevated his pace and concluded his final lap with a timing of 25.27 seconds to post 49.02 seconds for gold medal.
With his scintillating struggle, Magnussen earned a lead of 0.41 seconds from his strongest rival in the final half, as McEvoy reached the finishing wall with an effort of 25.68 seconds to submit 49.44 seconds on the board.
The silver medallist faced strong resistance from his subsequent competitor, Tommaso D’Orsogna, who stayed just 0.02 seconds behind and transpired on the finishing end for bronze medal by producing a time of 49.46 seconds.
Magnussen expressed happiness over his remarkable win in the double lap freestyle event and articulated his goal of improving his time at the upcoming Australian Selection Trials for 2012 London Olympics in Adelaide, next month.
In addition, the crowd appreciated commendable efforts of all position holders in their respective events whereas the winners collected their medals after the session.
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