Yuki Shirai pockets Men’s 200m backstroke gold – FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup
Yuki Shirai of Japan pocketed gold medal of the Men’s 200m backstroke on day two of the 2012 FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup in Stockholm, Sweden on Sunday, October 14.
Shirai smothered hopes of his opponents in the eight-lap backstroke discipline and secured the title. He gained a marginal lead over his challengers in the start and rushed his way towards the finishing wall for gold medal.
With his continuous efforts and strong determination, Shirai faced no trouble in overpowering his competitors and proved his eligibility for the crown. He remained one and a half body length ahead of his following swimmer and posted a time of 1 minute and
50.70 seconds.
The champion was followed by Ashley Delaney of Australia, who stayed 1.50 seconds apart and occupied silver medal of the race by producing an effort of 1 minute and 52.20 seconds.
Delaney was traced by Hayate Matsubara of Japan, who stayed 0.22 seconds behind and transpired on the finishing end as third position holder by clocking a time of 1 minute and 52.42 seconds.
The bronze medallist remained almost five seconds faster from Leonardo Fim of Brazil, who failed to reach the podium and ended fourth in the race by producing a time of 1 minute and 57.07 seconds.
Fifth fastest spot of the race was obtained by Henrique Rodrigues of Brazil, who was 1.32 seconds slower and surfaced on the wall with an effort of 1 minute and 58.39 seconds.
Rodrigues was followed by Mattias Carlsson of Sweden, who stayed only 0.12 seconds apart and ended his race in sixth place by submitting a time of 1 minute and 58.51 seconds.
Carlsson stayed 0.21 seconds ahead of Fernando Santos of Brazil, who occupied seventh position of the event by reporting an effort of 1 minute and 58.72 seconds.
Eighth spot of the event was trailed by Arthur Ramalho of Brazil, who was just 0.03 seconds behind and tapped the wall with a timing of 1 minute and 58.75 seconds.
In addition, Shirai was extremely pleased with his gruelling form in the backstroke discipline and received accolade at the prize ceremony of the event.
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