Pakistan’s run at World Championships ends
Swimmers Kiran, Israr fail to impress.
KARACHI:
Pakistan swimmers Kiran Khan and Israr Hussain’s disappointing run at the FINA World Championships ended in Shanghai after both failed to impress in their individual events and also missed out on an opportunity to qualify for the Olympics.
While Hussain competed in the 50-metre freestyle event, failing to reach the semi-finals, Khan failed in her bid to impress in the 50-metre butterfly category. Hussain, who was chosen to represent the country by the Pakistan Swimming Federation, had also finished at a disappointing 83rd in the 100-metre freestyle event where 107 athletes took part.
Brazilians dominated the podium with Bruno Fratus claiming gold, with a time of 21.76 seconds, while Cesar Cielo (21.79) came second ahead of American Nathan Adrian who clocked 21.94 seconds.
In the women’s event, Sweden’s Therese Alshammar (25.52) finished first ahead of Netherlands’ Inge Dekker (25.78) and China’s Lu Ying (25.87). Khan’s time was an unimpressive 30.05 seconds. She also participated in the 50-metre backstroke event where she managed 51st position out of 57, clocking 33.18 seconds.
Golden Lochte gives US relay record
While Pakistan rued a disappointing tournament, Ryan Lochte wrote another golden chapter in his memorable world championships as he pushed the US to a record fourth straight 4x200m freestyle win and claimed his third individual title.
The US team were lagging after out-of-sorts Michael Phelps’ lead-off leg but Lochte demonstrated the form that brought him the individual 200m freestyle crown as he overtook France’s Fabien Gilot on the penultimate turn.
Lochte’s efforts helped the US, who timed seven minutes and 2.67 seconds, to finish ahead of France and China, becoming the first team to win the event four times in a row, outstripping Australia’s treble between 1998 and 2003.
“Once we hit the 75-metre mark, I knew it was over,” said Lochte. “I knew I had a lot of energy left and I was going to hit that second wall and then just go for it.”
Lochte, whose medley record was the first since high-tech swimsuits were banned last year, also led from start to finish in the 200-metre backstroke to reclaim the title he won in 2007. (With additional input from AFP)
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2011.
Pakistan swimmers Kiran Khan and Israr Hussain’s disappointing run at the FINA World Championships ended in Shanghai after both failed to impress in their individual events and also missed out on an opportunity to qualify for the Olympics.
While Hussain competed in the 50-metre freestyle event, failing to reach the semi-finals, Khan failed in her bid to impress in the 50-metre butterfly category. Hussain, who was chosen to represent the country by the Pakistan Swimming Federation, had also finished at a disappointing 83rd in the 100-metre freestyle event where 107 athletes took part.
Brazilians dominated the podium with Bruno Fratus claiming gold, with a time of 21.76 seconds, while Cesar Cielo (21.79) came second ahead of American Nathan Adrian who clocked 21.94 seconds.
In the women’s event, Sweden’s Therese Alshammar (25.52) finished first ahead of Netherlands’ Inge Dekker (25.78) and China’s Lu Ying (25.87). Khan’s time was an unimpressive 30.05 seconds. She also participated in the 50-metre backstroke event where she managed 51st position out of 57, clocking 33.18 seconds.
Golden Lochte gives US relay record
While Pakistan rued a disappointing tournament, Ryan Lochte wrote another golden chapter in his memorable world championships as he pushed the US to a record fourth straight 4x200m freestyle win and claimed his third individual title.
The US team were lagging after out-of-sorts Michael Phelps’ lead-off leg but Lochte demonstrated the form that brought him the individual 200m freestyle crown as he overtook France’s Fabien Gilot on the penultimate turn.
Lochte’s efforts helped the US, who timed seven minutes and 2.67 seconds, to finish ahead of France and China, becoming the first team to win the event four times in a row, outstripping Australia’s treble between 1998 and 2003.
“Once we hit the 75-metre mark, I knew it was over,” said Lochte. “I knew I had a lot of energy left and I was going to hit that second wall and then just go for it.”
Lochte, whose medley record was the first since high-tech swimsuits were banned last year, also led from start to finish in the 200-metre backstroke to reclaim the title he won in 2007. (With additional input from AFP)
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2011.