Top performers of FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup: Doha, Qatar – Part 2
After the scintillating swims of international players in their key events, Women’s 200m freestyle attracted the attention of the crowd. Katinka Hosszu, who captured the title of 800m freestyle earlier at the championship, looked all set to dominate her
second gold medal of the evening.
With her comfortable win in the 800m discipline, Hosszu was in a comfortable place to repeat the same in 200m freestyle.
The Hungarian swimmer dictated terms to her rivals and embraced victory by reporting an effort of 1 minute and 54.79 seconds. Just like the 800m event, Hosszu exceeded expectations of her supporters as she proved her mettle for the crown of the event.
Her notable form placed her in a lead of two body lengths over her following swimmer, Sweden’s Michelle Coleman, who settled on the finishing blockade as second position holder with a timing of 1 minute and 56.25 seconds.
Third finest spot of the race was obtained by Daryna Zevina of Ukraine, who was just an inch behind and completed the podium by submitting a time of 1 minute and 56.31 seconds.
Hosszu expressed happiness over her victory and proclaimed that she is gaining much confidence with her every victory. Not to mention, the Hungarian swimmer also clinched a bronze medal in the Women’s 200m backstroke and was prepared to compete in her fourth
event of the opening day, Women’s 200m Individual Medley (IM).
Hosszu clocked a time of 2 minutes and 07.54 seconds for bronze medal of the event. Her effort remained considerably slower from Ukraine’s Zevina and Melissa Ingram, who snared gold and silver medal of the race with efforts of 2:02.99 and 2:04/95 minutes,
respectively.
On the other hand, Kenneth To of Australia served notice of his talent as he claimed the title of Men’s 100m freestyle and 100m IM.
To, who dominated the first half of the freestyle discipline, failed to overpower ruthless efforts of compatriot Tommaso D’Orsogna in the second fifty and they both secured a joint finish for gold medal.
The duo of Australian swimmers remained just an inch ahead of their strongest rival as they accomplished the crown with the same timings of 47.10 seconds.
The champions were followed by USA’s Anthony Ervin, who secured third place on the victory stand by touching the wall with a timing of 47.17 seconds.
Later, To elevated his efforts in the IM discipline as he was unwilling to share the title this time. With his exhausting efforts in the shortest IM event, To managed to escape his rivals and accomplished gold medal of the event with a timing of 51.58 seconds.
His struggle remained two arm-strokes ahead of George Bovell, who finished second in the race with the timing of 51.87 seconds. Third position of the event was obtained by Darian Townsend, who was full body length apart and posted a time of 52.76 seconds.
While expressing his happiness to the media after his victories, To said, “I am pretty happy with today, especially after coming off a tough event in Dubai. It’s been lots of travelling but it’s been two great events and it gives me good momentum for the
European circuit. I am swimming well and I know it, so I am pleased. George (Bovell) is swimming well and he almost beat me tonight, so I gotta watch out!”
Furthermore, the audience was eager to see Hosszu’s alluring effort as she was adamant to secure another title.
To be continued in Part 3.
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