Takeshi Matsuda impresses in Men’s 200m butterfly semi-finals – 2012 London Olympic Games
Japanese veteran, Takeshi Matsuda impressed his supporters by dominating the semi-finals of Men’s 200m butterfly on day three of the swimming events at the 2012 London Olympic Games in London Aquatic Centre on Monday, July 30.
The 28-year-old Matsuda, who won a bronze medal in the same discipline at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, remained dominant over his challengers throughout the distant butterfly discipline and earned the fastest qualification spot of the race.
With his relentless efforts, Matsuda managed to outperform the defending champion of the event, Michael Phelps of USA and hit the finishing blockade for first position with an effort of 1 minute and 54.25 seconds.
His gruelling effort was trailed by Chad Le Clos of South Africa, who stayed 0.09 seconds slower from him over the finishing end and earned second finest spot into the playoff by producing a time of 1 minute and 54.34 seconds.
The South African swimmer was followed by Yin Chen of China, who proved his mettle for third fastest qualifying position by clocking an effort of 1 minute and 54.43 seconds.
Following that, the crowd witnessed exhausting efforts of Phelps, who remained only 0.10 seconds slower form his foregoing finisher and hit the finishing end with a fourth fastest timing of 1 minute and 54.53 seconds.
Fifth position of the race was secured by Tyler Clary of USA, who stayed nearly half body length apart and sprinted his way towards the finishing wall with the timing of 1 minute and 54.93 seconds.
Clary remained just 0.02 seconds lucky from Dinko Jukic of Austria, who finished his swim in sixth best place by submitting a time of 1 minute and 54.95 seconds.
Subsequently, Jukic was chased by Pawel Korzeniowski of Poland, who secured seventh best position of the event with the timing of 1 minute and 55.04 seconds.
Last qualification spot of the event was secured by Velimir Stjepanovic of Serbia, who stayed only 0.09 seconds slower and posted a time of 1 minute and 55.13 seconds.
Matsuda was overjoyed with his accomplishment in the semi-finals and articulated his desire of achieving the same in playoff.
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