Stars shine at FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup: Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Part 11
The aquatic crowd was pleased with the scintillating forms of all swimmers in opening events at the second day of 2012 FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The commendable forms of Gergo Kis and Britta Steffen in the Men’s 1500m freestyle and Women’s 100m freestyle respectively, played a crucial role in elevating hopes of the crowd.
Third event of the session was Men’s 200m freestyle, where Darian Townsend of South Africa was inevitably strong over his opponents for the title. Townsend, who qualified into the playoff as top contender for gold medal, wasted no time and overpowered his
challengers for the title.
His gruelling effort remained more than half a body length ahead of his toughest competitor and made his way to the finishing wall for gold medal by producing a time of 1 minute and 42.71 seconds.
His astonishing effort remained almost three and a half seconds slower from the world record of Paul Biedermann of Germany, who posted an effort of 1 minute and 39.37 seconds during November 2009.
Townsend was chased by Robert Hurley of Australia, who remained 0.66 seconds apart and emerged on the finishing end for silver medal by producing an effort 1 minute and 43.37 seconds.
Hurley was followed by Tommaso D’Orsogna of Australia, who stayed more than a half body length behind and surfaced on the wall with a timing of 1 minute and 44.65 seconds.
Townsend was extremely contented with his top finish in the 200m event and said that he would try hard to dominate the same at subsequent stops of World Cup Series. While commenting on his victory, Townsend said, “That felt great, I am feeling better and
better in the water, this is my best time in the short course.”
Following that, Jennie Johansson of Sweden served notice of her talent in the Women’s 50m breaststroke. The Swedish swimmer smothered hopes of her opponents in the shortest breaststroke discipline and occupied gold medal of the event.
Johansson enjoyed an advantage of full body length over her competitors and surfaced on the wall for gold medal by clocking a time 30.62 seconds. Her gold winning effort remained almost two body lengths slower from the world record of 28.80 seconds, made
by Jessica A Hardy of USA in November 2009.
The champion was followed by Fumiko Kawanabe of Japan, who was full body length apart and transpired on the finishing blockade for silver medal by producing an effort of 31.61 seconds.
Kawanabe was trailed by Joline Hoestman of Sweden, who was just a fraction away from her preceding swimmer and touched the wall with a timing of 31.62 seconds.
Afterwards, Chad le Clos of South Africa accomplished gold medal of the Men’s 100m butterfly. The South African swimmer continued his stupendous efforts in the race and seized the crown by posting a time of 49.82 seconds.
“I was disappointed with last night, but am very happy with that swim. This is my lucky pool and I just wanted to bounce back. This gives me a lot of confidence, I just wanted to have a good swim,” said le Clos.
Second spot of the race was obtained by Evgeny Korotyshkin of Russia, who posted a time of 50.67 seconds while Thomas Shields of USA ended third with an effort of 50.97 seconds.
To be continued in Part 12.
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