Richard Weinberger claims Men’s 10km Open Water gold: Day two – Australian Open Water Championships
Richard Weinberger of Canada exceeded expectations of his coach by claiming gold medal of the 10km Open Water event in Men’s 19 and Over class on second day of the 2012 Australian Open Water Championships on Saturday, February 18.
The Australian championship is of substantial importance as it paves the way for the forthcoming 2012 London Olympic Games. It also offered an opportunity to open water athletes to compete with each other and get back in their form before the battle royal.
The 21-year-old Weinberger shattered hopes of his fans by clinching gold medal of the event in the most senior category of the championship. With his tremendous efforts, he remained remarkably ahead of his fellow competitors and passed the finishing end in a time of 1 hour, 53 minutes and 44.75 seconds.
He was trailed by Rhys Mainstone of UWA Uniswim, who followed him on the podium for second position by reporting an effort of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 26.27 seconds. The third spot of the race was seized by Jarrod Poort of Wests Illawarra, who was almost nine seconds away from Mainstone and ended his swim in a time of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 39.35 seconds.
In the meantime, the crowd admired commendable efforts of Melissa Gorman of Redcliffe League in the Women’s 19 and Over category. The 26-year-old Gorman showed no mercy to her challengers and pocketed the title of the event in a time of 2 hours, 02 minutes and 45.68 seconds.
She remained nearly thirty-five seconds ahead of Yumi Kida of Japan, who climbed the podium for silver medal by submitting an effort of 2 hours, 03 minutes and 20.74 seconds. The 26-year-old Kida was traced by Gorman’s teammate, Emily Seymour as she stayed almost four minutes slower and won bronze medal of the event by clocking a time of 2 hours, 07 minutes and 24.21 seconds.
The second session of the championship concluded after the dazzling performances of all open water athletes in their respective events. Furthermore, the winners were invited on the podium for awards and accolades after the completion of session.
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