Theresa Michalak snatches Women's 400m IM title: Day one – German SC Nationals
Theresa Michalak of SV Halle snatched the title of Women's 400m Individual Medley (IM) on initial day of the 2011 German Short Course Nationals on Thursday, November 24 in Wuppertal.
The 19-year-old Michalak dominated sixteen-lap IM discipline to cement her place on the medal rostrum for gold medal. She emerged as the top contender for gold medal in the first round, where she ended her initial 50 meters in a time of 28.72 seconds.
Katharina Schiller of VfL Waiblingen remained second fastest swimmer in the first round, as she posted a time of 29.53 seconds.
Michalak sustained her spot in the second round, where she reported a time of 1 minute and 02.05 seconds to overwhelm Schiller's 1 minute and 02.35 seconds effort.
Subsequently, Michalak extended her lead to almost two seconds in the next two rounds, where she ended her first half of the race in a time of 2 minutes and 12.17 seconds. She was trailed by Schiller, who was 2.47 seconds slower than her and completed her
first half with a timing of 2 minutes and 14.64 seconds.
The battle continued in the next two rounds, where the 19-year-old continued her smothering efforts and posted a time of 3 minutes and 31.47 seconds. She was followed by 27-year-old Schiller, who was almost three second slower than her and covered the same
distance with an effort of 3 minutes and 33.14 seconds.
Schiller tried her best to defeat Michalak in the final two rounds, but she failed to overcome her gruelling efforts. With her persistent efforts, Michalak maintained her top spot in the race and hit the finishing wall with a timing of 4 minutes and 36.01
seconds for gold medal.
She was chased by Schiller, who remained 1.36 seconds behind the champion and reached the podium for silver medal in a time of 4 minutes and 37.37 seconds.
The third spot of the race was secured by Nina Schiffer of SG Dortmund, who clocked a time of 4 minutes and 41.11 seconds for bronze medal.
In addition, the winners collected awards and accolades for their superb efforts after the session.
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