Keri Anne Payne and Spyros Gianniotis shine at the 2011 FINA World Championships
The 2011 FINA World Championships saw impressive splashes in the Open Water Swimming in Shanghai, China. The event was held from July 16-31, where swimmers from all over the world appeared to prove their skill and technique in the sport.
Keri Anne Payne of Great Britain and Spyros Gianniotis of Greece secured gold medals in both the Women’s and Men’s 10km Open Water Swimming meets, respectively. Initially, Payne gave her best effort in the Women’s 10km Open Water Swim and snagged the golden
crown with an impressive time of 2 hours, 1 minute and 58.1 seconds.
After the meet, Payne stated, “I’m really please with that. Last year wasn’t the best for me so this is a massive positive and I’ve also just found out my sister (Janine) is in labour back in the UK so hopefully it will be a good day all round.”
Payne’s impressive effort has earned her a qualification spot for the 2012 Olympic Games. Previously, Payne took home the Women’s 10km Open Water Swim crown at the 2009 edition of the championships, in Rome. In the corresponding race, she snatched the silver
medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, in Beijing. Moreover, Payne snared the Women’s 400m freestyle title at the 2004 edition of the European Championships, in Vienna.
Meanwhile, Martina Grimaldi of Italy captured the silver medal on the podium by submitting a time of 2 hours, 01 minute and 59.9 seconds and Marianna Lymperta of Greece earned the bronze medal by posting a time of 2 hours, 02 minutes and 01.8 seconds.
On the other hand, Spyros Gianniotis took home the Men’s 10km Open Water Swim crown on the podium by submitting a record time of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 24.7 seconds. While speaking about his individual splash, Gianniotis stated that he was satisfied with
his swim in the competition.
In the meantime, Lurz Thomas of Germany picked the silver medal of the platform by posting a sterling time of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 27.2 seconds. Bolshakov Sergey of Russia snatched the bronze medal on the podium by submitting an impressive time of 1 hour,
54 minutes and 31.8 seconds.
Alex Meyer of United States of America was placed fourth by posting a time of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 33.1 seconds, while Ky Hurst of Australia finished fifth by posting a time of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 33.9 seconds. Hervas Francisco of Spain settled sixth
in a time of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 34.3 seconds.
Brian Ryckeman of Belgian earned seventh spot in a time of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 36.1 seconds and Julien Sauvage of France grabbed eighth position with a time of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 37.2 seconds.
Moreover, Vladimir Dyatchin of Russian was placed ninth in a time of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 38.7 seconds and Andreas Waschburger of Germany finished tenth in a time of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 39.8 seconds. Great Britain’s Dan Fogg wound up fifteenth in the
respective meet. Fogg stated, “I just kept my head down throughout the race and tried to get as highly placed as possible and get that Olympic qualification.”
Keri Anne Payne and Spyros Gianniotis have also booked their spots for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
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