Junya Koga wins Men’s 50m back-stroke gold medal: 2011 Mare Nostrum Series - Monaco
Junya Koga has won the gold medal of the Men’s 50m back-stroke category on the second day of the 2011 Mare Nostrum Series, being staged in Monaco.
Monaco is the concluding stop of the 2011 Mare Nostrum events, which provide a platform to international swimmers to compete with each other before the 2011 World Championships, this July.
Koga of Japan presented a beautiful swim to conquer the title of the Men’s event in an impressive timing of 25.11 seconds. His team-member, Ryosuke Irie, followed him on the finishing wall for the second fastest spot in a superb time of 25.29 seconds. Irie
was only 0.18 seconds behind his team-member, staying away from the gold medal.
Moments later, Hayden Stoeckel of Australia, proved his eligibility for the bronze medal by displaying an amazing swim of 25.40 seconds. The fourth fastest spot on the podium was secured by Camille Lacourt of CN Marseille, who was 0.55 seconds slower than
Stoeckel, by clocking a time of 25.95 seconds.
Koga is the gold medallist of the 100m back-stroke and the silver medallist of the 50m back-stroke at the 2009 Rome World Championships. He also won gold in the 50m event, along with a silver medal in the 100m back-stroke at the 2010 Irvine Pan Pacific Championships.
In addition, Irie is the silver medallist of the 200m back-stroke at the 2009 World Championships.
The event was a competitive battle, as two Japanese swimmers participating in the 50m event were world podium finishers. Koga of Japan had a noteworthy start, as he was the first swimmer to dive into the water and keep his fellow swimmers at a safe distance.
His gruelling efforts, combined with his fantastic swim allowed him to dominate the short event thorough the race.
Koga was extremely happy after overwhelming his national rival and team-mate in the challenge. He expressed that he has gained much confidence with his effort and is prepared to put up a good show for his fans at the upcoming World Championships, in Shanghai.
Tags: