Sophia Saroukian occupies Women’s 1500m freestyle gold: Day one – Western Canadian Championships
Sophia Saroukian of EKSC occupied gold medal of the Women’s 1500m freestyle in the 15 and under class on day one of the 2012 Speedo Western Canadian Championships in Winnipeg, Canada on Thursday, February 16.
The 13-year-old Saroukian confronted a strong battle from Danica Ludlow of PGB in the first six rounds. Ludlow took charge of the race and dictated terms but Saroukian elevated her efforts in the seventh round and maintained her position in the remaining rounds to capture gold medal.
The 15-year-old Ludlow completed her initial 200 metres of the swim in a time of 2 minutes and 09.13 seconds. She remained nearly two seconds ahead of Saroukian, who covered the same distance in a time of 2 minutes and 11.55 seconds.
Ludlow continued her thrilling performance in the next two rounds, where she extended her lead by covering 400 metres of the swim with an effort of 4 minutes and 23.54 seconds. She was trailed by Saroukian, who enveloped the same distance by posting 4 minutes and 26.35 seconds.
Saroukian followed Ludlow’s lead in the next two rounds but with her impressive effort in the seventh round, she earned marginal lead over her rival and clocked a time of 7 minutes and 48.81 seconds. Ludlow remained just 0.23 seconds behind and hit the wall with a timing of 7 minutes and 49.04 seconds.
The 13-year-old gave no chance to her competitor to fight back and proved her supremacy in the remaining laps. With her persistent efforts, she kept on enhancing her lead and emerged on the podium for gold medal in a time of 16 minutes and 46.50 seconds.
She remained nearly eleven seconds ahead of her challenger, Ludlow, who submitted 16 minutes and 57.91 seconds for silver medal. The third spot of the race was secured by Saroukian’s teammate, Lili Margitai, who reported 17 minutes and 05.68 seconds.
Saroukian was contented with her title claiming effort and stated her desire of achieving the same at higher levels of swimming.
The championship will conclude on Sunday after the completion of all scheduled events whereas the arena appreciated fascinating efforts of all position holders in the distant freestyle event at the medal ceremony of the championship.
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