Stars shine at FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup: Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Part 6
The impressive form of Rachel Goh in the 50m backstroke discipline added greatly towards elevating the expectations of the crowd at FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
After the shortest backstroke event, the crowd was delighted to see their champion, Chad Le Clos of South Africa, who had not lost any event in Dubai. Le Clos made his first appearance in the Men’s 200m butterfly final where he faced tough contest from Japanese
specialist, Daiya Seto.
Seto showered his expertise in the distant butterfly discipline as he remained on a verge of defeating the arena’s favourite, but lost by just an inch. Le Clos followed Seto’s lead from the start but with his unrelenting efforts in the final round, he managed
to secure the title.
Le Clos, who has not lost any event in Dubai so far, was extremely delighted with his gold finish in the tournament. He admired the ruthless form of Seto after the event and expressed contentment over his victory.
He stayed just a touch ahead of his closest competitor and surfaced on the wall by producing a time of 1 minute and 51.61 seconds.
His gold winning effort remained 2.50 seconds slower from the world record of 1 minute and 49.11 seconds, set by Kaio Almeida of Brazil in November 2009.
The Japanese veteran remained just an inch slower from le Clos over the finishing blockade and occupied silver medal of the race with a timing of 1 minute and 51.71 seconds.
Third spot of the race was obtained by Velimir Stjepanovic, who stayed considerably slower from his foregoing finisher and tapped the wall with an effort of 1 minute and 56.18 seconds.
“I was lucky to get this one, Seto is swimming well and I really had to push hard, I’m tired now,” said le Clos.
While commenting on his victory after the race, le Clos added, “I’m just glad I’ve kept my Dubai record going, that’s nine out of nine wins here now.”
On the other hand, Katinka Hosszu of Hungary once again made her way to the starting blocks among the finalists of Women’s 200m Individual Medley (IM). Hosszu, who triumphed over her challengers in the 800m and 200m freestyle earlier at the tournament, look
evidently strong for the title of the 200m IM.
The Hungarian swimmer spoiled the party of her competitors as she stunned the aquatic crowd with her third win of the evening. Hosszu remained in prominent lead over her following swimmers and touched the wall for gold medal with a wonderful timing of 2
minutes and 10.53 seconds.
Her noteworthy effort remained 4.52 seconds slower from the World Cup mark of 2 minutes and 06.01 seconds, made by Evelyn Verraszto of Hungary in November 2009. Similarly, her effort was almost six seconds slower from the world record of 2 minutes and 04.60
seconds, owned by Julia Smit of USA during December 2009.
Hosszu was trailed by her compatriot, Zsuzsanna Jakabos, who stayed full body length behind and hit the wall for silver medal by submitting a splendid effort of 2 minutes and 11.42 seconds.
Jakabos enjoyed an advantage of Anna Dzerkal of Ukraine, who remained just one stroke behind pocketed bronze medal of the discipline by producing a nice time of 2 minutes and 11.79 seconds.
To be continued in Part 7.
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