Natalie Coughlin wins Women’s 100m back-stroke semi-finals: Day two – 2011 FINA World Championships
Day two of the 2011 FINA World Championships began in stunning fashion with the scintillating performance of Natalie Coughlin of United States in Shanghai, China, on Monday, July 25.
Coughlin snared the first semi-finals in the Women’s 100m back-stroke category, whereas, Yannick Agnel of France won the Men’s 200m freestyle semi-finals meet.
Initially, Coughlin came out strong and hit the wall in 59.38 seconds to win the Women’s 100m back-stroke semi-finals heat. While speaking about her performance in the semi-finals, Coughlin said, “It's very, very fast. That's a reason for everyone to swim
better in the final. It's a good experience. I am very happy with it. This is my fifth World Championships. It's the best job. I train very hard.”
Previously, Coughlin won one gold medal in the Women’s 100m back-stroke meet at the 2010 World Championships, in Dubai. She snared two gold medals in the 100m back-stroke and 4x200m freestyle at the 2004 Olympic Games, in Athens. Additionally, she captured
one gold medal in the 100m back-stroke at the 2008 Olympics, in Beijing.
In the meantime, Anastasia Zueva of Russia wound up second in a time of 59.41 seconds and Zhao Jing of China settled third in 59.44 seconds. Emily Seebohm of Australia finished fourth in 59.54 seconds, while Sinead Russell of Canada was placed fifth in a
time of 59.68 seconds.
Belinda Hocking of Australian earned the sixth spot with a time of 59.69 seconds. Elizabeth Simmonds of Great Britain wound up seventh in a time of 59.80 seconds and Aya Terakawa of Japan settled eighth in 59.81 seconds.
Meanwhile, Yannick Agnel took home the Men’s 200m freestyle semi-finals event with a sterling time of 1 minute and 45.62 seconds. Paul Biedermann of Germany was placed second in 1 minute and 45.93 seconds, while Ryan Lochte of United States rounded out the
top three in 1 minute and 46.11 seconds.
In the corresponding race, Hwan Tae Park of Korea earned the fourth place honours in a time of 1 minute and 46.23 seconds, whereas, Michael Phelps of United States finished fifth in a time of 1 minute and 46.91 seconds.
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