Stars shine at FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup: Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Part 1
After a prolong wait of swimming action, the aquatic fans were contented to see the subjugated efforts of swimming stars in their exclusive events at the 2012 FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Dubai is the first stage of seven-stop World Cup juncture that will conclude on November 3 after the conclusion of all swimming events in Men and Women’s category.
World Cup is the first major event after the 2012 London Olympic Games that was almost eight weeks ago and thus the crowd was thirsty for some action in the pool.
The opening day of the two-day tournament, came to an end after the conclusion of 18 playoffs in Men and Women’s corner, which included some tremendous performances from Katinka Hosszu, Chad Le Clos, Cameron van der Burgh and Kenneth To in their exclusive
events.
First event of the session was Women’s 800m freestyle, where the Hungarian swimming legend, Hosszu smothered hopes of her opponents and earned her way to the podium for gold medal.
The 23-year-old Hosszu faced no trouble from her competitors and ensured her place on top of the victory stand for the title by clocking a time of 8 minutes and 31.70 seconds. Hosszu, who was determined for gold medal from the start, remained nearly half
a minute slower from the world record of 8 minutes and 04.53 seconds, made by Alessia Filippi of Italy in 2008.
She was followed by a Slovenian swimmer, Tanja Smid, who stayed considerably slower from her and emerged on the wall for silver medal by clocking an effort of 8 minutes and 33.54 seconds. Third position of the race was obtained by Hosszu’s teammate, Zsuzsanna
Jakabos, who proved her mettle for fourth position by producing a time of 8 minutes and 38.15 seconds.
Hosszu was pleased with her effort in the thirty-two lap freestyle discipline and conveyed a threatening message to her competitors through her gruelling efforts. While talking to the media after her victory, Hosszu said, “I’m a bit tired now, it’s been
a long day. The plan was to race a lot to get back into shape, hopefully I can do the same tomorrow.”
There is no doubt that the Hungarian swimmer has gained much confidence from her comfortable win and ultimately, her chances of embracing victory in her remaining events have increased considerably.
Not to mention, Hosszu is next scheduled to compete in the Women’s 200m freestyle, where she is expected to face tough contest from her fellow swimmers, but the 23-year-old is ready to take on the challenge, as she qualified into the playoff as strongest
swimmer for gold medal.
The three-time world medallist, Hosszu did not rule out her competitors as a potential candidate for the crown of the 200m discipline. Instead, she was hopeful that she would be able to continue her dominance just like the distant freestyle event and will
secure the crown.
The crowd was pleased with the commendable efforts of all participants in the 800m discipline and was pretty eager to see what comes up in the remaining events of the initial day of the championship.
Following that, the focus of the crowd shifted towards the next event, Men’s 100m freestyle, where great competition was expected between Kenneth To, Anthony Ervin and Roland Schoeman.
To be continued in Part 2.
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