Stephanie Rice contented with her performance at NSW state titles – Swimming News
Three-time Olympic gold medallist, Stephanie Rice is contented with her blistering performance in the 200m Individual Medley (IM) and 400m IM at last week’s New South Wales (NSW) State Open Championships. The event was held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
The 23-year-old Rice, who just returned to the pool after undergoing a shoulder surgery in December, failed to defend her titles but she proved her talent by securing a second finish in both disciplines.
Rice, who captured gold medals of the 200m and 400m IM at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, posted 4 minutes and 42.29 seconds to secure silver finish on first day of the championship.
She finished behind the 20-year-old Samantha Hamill, who clocked a time of 4 minutes and 40.21 seconds for gold medal.
Subsequently, she participated in the 200m IM on third day of the event, where she faced tough battle from Emily Seebohm, who snared gold medal of the event in a time of 2 minutes and 11.55 seconds. Rice remained nearly two seconds behind her and seized silver medal of the event by posting a time of 2 minutes and 13.84 seconds.
She stated that staying away from the pool for such a long time could be detrimental for any swimmer. Nevertheless, the Olympic champion expressed that her participation at the NSW meet has helped her in re-gaining confidence.
“It was good to see where I am and that's the biggest confidence boost that I have got from it,” Rice said.
“Even though the end time is not super quick or competitive in terms of the Olympic standard, it's given me a lot of confidence that I still have that base fitness that I've got from the seven years of training I have done. Now I just have to build up and work on those little skills ... and I know I'll be able to improve on these times at Olympic trials,” the 23-year-old added.
On the other hand, Bohl confessed that Rice would not be in full form for the Australian Selection Trials for the 2012 London Olympics, but she is trying hard to prove her mettle at the next month’s trial.
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