Paul Biedermann rakes Men’s 200m freestyle crown: Day Two – 2011 Swimming World Cup, Stockholm
World record holder, Paul Biedermann of Germany served notice of his dominance by devastating hopes of his opponents in Men’s 200m freestyle playoff on day two of the 2011 Swimming World Cup in Stockholm, on October Sunday, 16.
The Swimming World Cup is a seven-stage series, which is being conducted under the supervision of international aquatics sport governing body, Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA).
Biedermann, who owns the world record of 200m freestyle, was largely predicted to defend his international title. He experienced a strong challenge from his opponent, Chad Le Clos of South Africa, who had his sight affixed on the title of 200m freestyle.
Le Clos won six gold medals in the first leg of World Cup in Dubai and was one of the strongest contenders for the title of 200m freestyle.
The South African swimmer dominated first round of the swim, posting a time of 24.36 seconds for the initial 50 metres of the swim while the defending champion remained 0.10 seconds slower and clocked 24.46 seconds for the same distance.
Le Clos tried to continue his reign in the second round, but the German elevated his efforts and shattered hopes of his competitor by submitting a time of 50.81 seconds against Le Clos’s 51.08 seconds effort.
Subsequently, Biedermann maintained his position in the remaining laps of the swim and hit the wall with a wonderful effort of 1 minute and 43.44 seconds for gold medal. With his splendid efforts, the German remained 0.36 seconds ahead of Le Clos, who reached
the podium for silver medal, by reporting a time of 1 minute and 43.80 seconds.
The podium was completed with the presence of Japanese swimmer, Yuya Horihata, who stayed 1.99 seconds slower from his former finisher and hit the wall with a timing of 1 minute and 45.79 seconds for bronze medal.
Biedermann was overjoyed with his scintillating effort that helped him protect his 200m freestyle title whereas the podium finishers received their accolades in the medal ceremony after the completion of session.
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