Satomi Suzuki clinches Women’s 200m back-stroke gold medal: 2011
Mare Nostrum Series - Monaco
Satomi Suzuki of Japan dominated the Women’s 200m back-stroke event to clinch the gold medal on the second day of the 2011 Mare Nostrum Series, held in Monaco.
The international swimming meet provides elite swimmers with a chance to compete with each other before the 2011 Shanghai World Championships, this July. Monaco is also the last of the four stops of the 2011 Mare Nostrum Series.
The Japanese swimmer was looking strong to secure the gold medal from the start of the race. Suzuki, who already conquered the gold medal at the 2011 Canet En Roussillon, clocked in a time of 2 minute and 26.67 seconds to lead the podium finishers. She was
1.32 seconds faster than her closest competitor, Emily Selig of Australia, who touched the wall for the silver medal, with a fantastic time of 2 minutes and 27.99 seconds. The third spot on the podium was secured by SG Essen’s Caroline Ruhnau, who appeared
as the third fastest swimmer on the finishing wall, posting a time of 2 minutes and 29.55 seconds.
Suzuki gained a marginal lead over her fellow swimmers in the first lap and was the first swimmer to enter the second lap. Her fast arm-strokes, coupled with her strong kicks enabled her to maintain a lead over her following swimmers. The Japanese gold medallist
continued her magnificent run to win the gold medal, in a thrilling battle.
The fourth fastest spot was conquered by Ronwyn Roper of South Africa, as she completed her four-lap swim in 2 minutes and 31.45 seconds. She was followed by Jessica Vall of FED. Catalane, who secured the fifth position in the distant back-stroke swim after
posting a time of 2 minutes and 31.82 seconds.
She was followed by Hrafnhidur Luthersdottir of Iceland and Concepcion Badillo Diaz, who touched the wall in a time of 2:33.05 and 2:34.45 minutes to secure the sixth and seventh fastest spots, respectively. Jessica Liss of South Africa finished her swim
in the eighth fastest spot, clocking in 2 minutes and 35.44 seconds.
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