Swimmers shine in swimming events: Santa Clara International Grand Prix – Part 6
After the marvellous forms of Caitlin A Leverenz and Scott T Clary in the 400m IM, the focus of the audience shifted towards the third event of the session, Women’s 200m freestyle.
With the relentless of all participants in the previous events, the expectations of the spectators elevated and they were eager to see their favourite swimmers dominate their main events.
Subsequently, the finalists of the 200m freestyle reached the starting blocks to prove their mettle for the top spot on the podium. The 17-year-old Chelsea A Chenault, who qualified into the playoff as top contender for gold medal, was the hot favourite
swimmer of the final.
Chenault was expected to grab gold medal of the four-lap discipline in a comfortable manner but she failed to overpower impeccable efforts of her strongest contender, Dana W Vollmer.
Vollmer, who made her way into the playoff as second best swimmer, elevated her efforts in the final lap and occupied gold medal of the discipline in a time of 1 minute and 57.25 seconds.
The gold medallist remained just 0.07 seconds slower from the meet record of 1 minute and 57.18 seconds, made by Bronte Barratt of Australia in 2008.
She also remained nearly two seconds slower from the US Open record of 1 minute and 55.88 seconds, set by Katie Hoff of North Baltimore in 2008. She was also 4.27 seconds behind the world record of 1 minute and 52.98 seconds, held by Federica Pellegrini
of Italy at the 2009 Rome World Championships.
Vollmer’s title claiming effort remained 1.60 seconds faster from Chenault, who followed her on the finishing end for silver medal by producing a time of 1 minute and 58.85 seconds.
The silver medallist was chased by Kimberly Vandenberg, who remained one and a half body length apart and settled on the finishing blockade as bronze medallist by submitting a time of 2 minutes and 00.43 seconds.
Fourth event of the session was Men’s 200m freestyle final, where the Olympic champion and Korean expert, Park Tae Hwan spoiled the party of his opponents and captured gold medal.
The 22-year-old Tae Hwan sustained his fastest qualification of the event as he tapped the wall with an effort of 1 minute and 46.88 seconds for gold medal.
His notable effort in the 200m discipline remained just 0.96 seconds slower from the meet record of 1 minute and 45.92 seconds, owned by Tae Hwan from 2011.
He stayed nearly four seconds slower from the American mark of 1 minute and 42.96 seconds, set by the 14-time Olympic champion, Michael Phelps in 2008.
His gold accomplishment was 4.88 seconds away from the world mark of 1 minute and 42.00 seconds, held by Paul Biedermann of Germany from 2009.
Tae Hwan was chased by Michael P Klueh, who stayed 2.65 seconds apart and hit the wall with the timing of 1 minute and 49.53 seconds for silver medal.
Third position of the discipline was secured by David J Nolan, who remained 2.10 seconds slower and cruised his way towards the finishing wall with the timing of 1 minute and 51.63 seconds.
Furthermore, Tae Hwan received a huge round of applause from the audience for his incredible achievement in the 200m discipline while the position holders were awarded medals and accolades after the session.
To be continued in Part 7.
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