US Team at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships
US team clinched the most number of medals at the Pan Pacific swimming championships, which took place in Irvine California. The superb team won a total of 47 medals at the major international event. Out of these 47, 25 were gold while there were 15 silver and 7 bronze added to the team’s haul.
The athletes of the US team had to face their main competition from the Australian and the Japanese teams. However, the teams from other Pacific-Rim nations also gave a tough time to the great swimmers from the US. The finals of the championships were scheduled on the 20th of August and the closing ceremony took place on the 22nd of the same month.
The other major competitors of the tournament, Australia and Japan, won 25 and 11 medals respectively. The Australian team was able to gather 4 gold medals in total.
The athletic stars of the team who made it possible for the team to outshine at the 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships included the American swimmers including the number 1 of the world ranking list in the 200 metre individual medley, Ryan Lochte, Rebecca Soni, Tyler Clary and Chloe Sutton. The backbone of the team, the swimmer from Baltimore and who had stayed away from the pool for quite some time and spent most his time playing golf, managed to win for the American team two individual meets.
The great American swimmer, none other than Michael Phelps told the correspondents on the day of the finals of the championships that he will be taking a break from swimming to play some golf. Phelps also added that this break will not last longer than a week or two. The swimmer has won 14 gold medals at the Olympics, and enthusiastically helped his team won the 4 into 100 metre relay medley with his brilliant butterfly leg. Michael was elevated at this victory and truly expressed his happiness after the meet was over.
Talking about his long breaks from the water sport, Phelps told the media that this break will most probably be his last until the Summer Olympics scheduled in 2012, London. Further he said that he realized his shortcomings during the recent championships that he participated in. Phelps said that he has a way to go for the Olympics, as there is loads of work to be done. He said he knows exactly how he has to practise for the upcoming World Championships. Particularly after the Pan Pacific, he knows what areas are to be worked on.
Bob Bowman, Michael Phelps seasoned coach, said while talking to the sports correspondents that he was really glad that Phelps gave such brilliant performances at the Pan Pacific Championships. Bob also took the opportunity to mention and appreciate Phelps swim at the US National Championships that took place in the beginning of August.
Bob Bowman also said that the overall performance of the US swimmer in the pool of the championships at Irvine was commendable on Saturday evening. Moreover, he said that it was an amazing feeling to hear the US National Anthem every time the athletes would start to warm up. He said that it was indeed a proud night for the US swimmers. He added that at the end of the championships, the team has a clearer image of where they exactly stand on an international swimming platform. Bob called this event a good start up for the team to work towards the London Summer Olympics and the improvements required for the next year’s World Championships.
Other US athletes who deserve a round of applause for their great performances in the tournament include Lochte who won 6 gold medals for the country. Following him, Jessica Hardy won four while Rebecca Soni managed to win away three gold medals from the Pan Pacific. The US standings in the open water event that took place on Sunday, the 22nd of August were well above than those of their counterparts, Australia, Japan and Canada.
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