Lorna Tonks conquers Women’s 50m breaststroke prelims: Day three - Oceania Swimming Championships
Australian breaststroke specialist, Lorna Tonks conquered the qualification rounds of Women’s 50m breaststroke on third day of the 2012 Oceania Swimming Championships in Noumea, New Caledonia on Thursday, May 31.
Tonks devastated hopes of her opponents as she remained comfortably ahead and made her way to the finishing end for fastest qualification spot of the event.
With her impeccable swim, she stayed almost two body lengths faster from her strongest challenger and tapped the finishing wall with the timing of 32.01 seconds.
Her fastest qualification effort was trailed by her teammate, Jessica Hansen, who was 2.07 seconds apart and reached the finishing wall with the timing of 34.08 seconds.
Similarly, Hansen remained 0.73 seconds faster from her following swimmer, Pilar Shimizu of Guam, who transpired on the finishing end as third best finisher with the timing of 34.81 seconds.
Fourth position of the discipline was secured by Lauriane Santa of Nouvelle-Caledonie, who stayed 0.36 seconds apart and made her way to the finishing end with the timing of 35.17 seconds.
Santa was chased by Aja Grande of Hawaii, who was just one stroke apart and clocked a timing of 35.35 seconds for fifth position.
Grande was chased by Santa’s team-member, Maroma Bong of France, who was only 0.33 seconds apart and emerged on the finishing end with the timing of 35.68 seconds.
The French swimmer remained nearly one second faster from her closest swimmer and faced no difficulty in qualifying for the playoff.
Bong was chased by Lena Hayakawa of Hawaii, who stayed nearly 0.80 seconds apart and finished seventh in the event with an effort of 36.43 seconds.
Last qualification spot of the race was secured by Matelita Buadromo of Fiji Islands, who proved her eligibility for the eighth fastest qualification spot of the discipline by reporting a time of 37.22 seconds.
The arena appreciated commendable efforts of all participants in the 50m discipline whereas the finalists will face each other in the playoff of their respective events. In addition, the championship will continue for one more day and will conclude on June 1 after the conclusion of all events.
Tags: