Melissa Ingram triumphs Women’s 200m backstroke heats – FINA Swimming World Cup, Beijing
Melissa Ingram of New Zealand triumphed in the qualifying rounds of Women’s 200m backstroke on day one of the sixth stop of FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup in Beijing, China on Friday, November 2, 2012.
Ingram dictated terms to her opponents in the distant backstroke discipline as she found her way into the final round as top contender for the crown.
With her immaculate efforts in the eight-lap race, Ingram showed no leniency to her competitors as she paved her way towards the wall for first position. She continued her gruelling efforts throughout the discipline and occupied top qualifying position with
a nice timing of 2 minutes and 06.13 seconds.
She was followed by Katinka Hosszu of Hungary, who stayed 1.06 seconds slower from her and finished second in the event by submitting a wonderful time of 2 minutes and 07.19 seconds.
Hosszu was chased by Yanxin Zhou, who remained 1.13 seconds away from her foregoing finisher and settled on the wall as third best qualifying swimmer with an effort of 2 minutes and 08.32 seconds.
Fourth fastest spot of the race was obtained by Anqi Bai of China, who was only 0.19 seconds behind and transpired on the wall with an effort of 2 minutes and 08.51 seconds.
Subsequently, Bai was chased by Miyu Otsuka of Japan, who stayed only a stroke apart and clocked a time of 2 minutes and 08.75 seconds for fifth place.
Sixth position of the event was secured by Polina Lapshina of Russia, who was half a body length apart and touched the wall with an effort 2 minutes and 09.49 seconds.
Lapshina was trailed by Jenny Mensing of Germany, who stayed nearly half a second behind and entered the final round as seventh best finisher by reporting a time of 2 minutes and 10.01 seconds.
Mensing was traced by Yige Yao of China, who was 0.10 seconds slower and clocked a time of 2 minutes and 10.11 seconds for eighth position.
In addition, Ingram received a huge round of applause from the crowd for her top finish in the backstroke discipline after the race.
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