Therese Alshammar clinches Women’s 50m freestyle gold: Day one – 2011 Swimming World Cup, Singapore
World champion and Swedish freestyle veteran, Therese Alshammar defended her title by clinching gold medal of Women’s 50m freestyle on the foremost day of the 2011 Swimming World Cup Series in Singapore on Friday, November 4.
The Singapore World Cup is a two-day competition and fifth stop of the seven-stage series, scheduled by the international aquatics sport managing body, Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA).
The 34-year-old Alshammar entered the final round with a fourth best qualification time, but she elevated her efforts in the playoff to secure her title.
She faced strong resistance from her former qualifying swimmers, Cate Campbell, Olivia Halicek and Emma McKeon of Australia in the first half of the race. Nevertheless, the Swedish swimmer was determined to defend her title and demonstrated her exhausting efforts to claim the crown of the event.
Campbell gained a marginal lead over her competitors in the start as she was the quickest swimmer to dive into the water. With her fastest dive, she managed to dictate terms to her opponents in the first 10 metres of the race, but then Alshammar took control of the race.
With her tremendous stroke and aggressive swim, Alshammar earned a considerable lead over her rivals and hit the wall first with a wonderful timing of 23.98 seconds. Her fantastic effort was just 0.71 seconds slower than her world cup mark of 23.27 seconds, made by Alshammar in 2009.
The gold medallist was trailed by 19-year-old Campbell, who remained only 0.39 seconds slower than her and reached the podium for silver medal with an effort of 24.32 seconds. The third spot of the race was secured by Campbell’s team-mate, McKeon, who was just 0.08 seconds away from second position holder and clocked a time of 24.40 seconds.
In the meantime, Halicek stayed just 0.14 seconds slower than McKeon and finished fourth with a timing of 24.54 seconds.
The session concluded after gruelling efforts of all finalists whereas the position holders of 50m event were called upon the victory stand for their tremendous efforts after the completion of session. In addition, the championship will conclude on November 5 after the completion of all scheduled events.
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