Riho Hatanaka dominates Women's 800m freestyle heats: Day one – 2011 Swimming World Cup, Tokyo
Riho Hatanaka of Japan dominated the qualifying rounds of Women's 800m freestyle on opening day of the 2011 Swimming World Cup in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday, November 12.
Tokyo is the final stop of the 2011 World Cup series, supervised by the international aquatics sport managing body, Federation Internationale De Natation (FINA).
The 21-year-old Japanese followed the lead of her team-member, Marin Ohsaki in the initial 100 meters of the swim. The 15-year-old Ohsaki dictated terms to her challengers in the start of the race by completing her first two rounds in a fastest time of 1
minute and 02.58 seconds.
She was trailed by Hatanaka, who covered the same distance in a time of 1 minute and 02.81 seconds. Mine Watanabe of Japan emerged as the third fastest swimmer as she covered the equivalent distance in a time of 1 minute and 04.43 seconds.
In the meantime, the tables turned in the next round where Hatanaka gained a prominent lead over her strongest rivals by completing the initial 200 meters of the race in a fastest time of 2 minutes and 08.24 seconds.
With her irresistible efforts, she remained nearly one second ahead of Ohsaki, who posted a time of 2 minutes and 09.07 seconds for the same distance.
Hatanaka extended her lead to almost two seconds by finishing her first half of the race in a time of 4 minutes and 19.87 seconds. Ohsaki and Watanabe remained second and third fastest swimmers with timings of 4:21.93 and 4:23.89 minutes, respectively.
Ohsaki tried her best to overwhelm the efforts of her preceding swimmer in the second half but she failed to do so. Hatanaka continued her reign in final half of the race and she easily managed to earn her way in the final round as top qualifying swimmer.
She clocked a time of 8 minutes and 42.36 seconds to confirm her top position in the final round. She stayed 1.40 seconds ahead of her following swimmer, Ohsaki, who qualified as the second best swimmer with the timing of 8 minutes and 43.76 seconds.
Watanabe emerged as the third best finisher by posting a time of 8 minutes and 44.17 seconds.
Furthermore, these competitors will race each other in the final round to ensure their top finish.
Tags: