Joanes Hedel claims Men’s 57km Santa Fe-Rio Coronda title - FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2012
Joanes Hedel of France met expectations of his supporters by claiming gold medal of the Men’s 57km race at the second stage of Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) Open Water Swimming Grand Prix in Santa Fe-Rio Coronda, Argentina on Sunday, January 29.
The Open Water Grand Prix consists of eight races and is being supervised by the international aquatic sports managing body, FINA.
Santa Fe-Rio Coronda succeeded in magnetizing more athletes than the first stop of Grand Prix in Rosario, Argentina. The event drew attention of nineteen open water athletes, out of which sixteen were able to complete the race while three failed to reach the finishing line.
Recently, the French veteran gathered bronze medal of the 25km discipline at the 2011 European Championships in Eilat, Israel. He is also the bronze medallist of same event at the 2010 Budapest European Championships while he earned a silver finish in the 25km race at the 2008 European titles in Dubrovnik.
Hedel faced immense battle from Lucian Sales Rubio and Damian Blaum of Argentina, who struggled hard to reach the podium for top position but failed to out-touch him on the finishing line.
The champion gained a significant lead over his strongest competitors in the final half and made his way to the finishing line for gold medal by producing an effort of 8 hours, 36 minutes and 38.67 seconds.
His effort was almost nine seconds ahead of his immediate rival, Sales Rubio, who occupied silver medal of the race by completing his swim in a time of 8 hours, 36 minutes and 47.62 seconds.
The silver medallist was trailed by his team-member, Blaum, who remained just 0.23 seconds slower from him on the finishing end and settled on the podium for bronze medal by reporting a time of 8 hours, 36 minutes and 47.85 seconds.
The event concluded after the completion of race in Men and Women’s category while the position holders were invited on the victory stand for their invincible efforts, after the session.
In addition, the third stop of the Grand Prix is arranged at Hernandarias-Parana, Argentina on Sunday, February 5.
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