Rachel Goh wins Women’s 100m back-stroke title: Day two – 2011 Swimming World Cup, Stockholm
One of the most elegant Australian back-stroke swimmers, Rachel Goh displayed her urgency towards the finishing end in the Women’s 100m back-stroke playoff on the last day of 2011 Swimming World Cup in Stockholm on Sunday, October 16.
Stockholm meet is the second stage of seven-leg World Cup series organised by Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA), which is the international aquatics sport governing body.
Goh proved her mettle in the final event of the session by overpowering efforts of her challengers in the 100m back-stroke. She was the quickest swimmer to take off the wall. With her magnificent stroke and unimaginable strength, she completed her initial
50 metres of the event in a fastest time of 27.97 seconds.
She gained a lead of 0.58 seconds from her closest competitor and team-member, Belinda Hocking, who covered same distance in a time of 28.55 seconds. Hocking tried her best to become evident for the gold medal, but her superior swimmer was determined to
step the podium for gold medal.
With her persistent efforts, Goh covered next 50 metres of the race in a time of 29.58 seconds to post 57.55 seconds for the title of the event. Her wonderful efforts in the respective event elevated her to top spot in the 2011 world rankings of the short
course 100m back-stroke.
She faced stiff competition from Hocking in the second lap, as she completed her second half in a fastest time of 29.23 seconds. Hocking’s finest effort in the final round failed to place her on top of the podium as she remained 0.23 seconds slower from
Goh and earned a silver medal with a timing of 57.78 seconds.
Hocking was trailed by Michelle Coleman of Sweden, who stepped on the podium for bronze medal by clocking a time of 59.95 seconds.
The meet ended after the completion of all scheduled events while the podium finishers collected their awards and accolades in the medal ceremony of the competition. These participants will compete with each other in the next stop of World Cup in Stockholm,
on October 18.
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