Wednesday 31 July 2013

The Star Online : Swimming: Lithuania hails first-ever world champion

VILNIUS: Lithuanian leaders and media hailed teen star Ruta Meilutyte on Wednesday after she set a world record and became the Baltic state’s first-ever swimming world champion.

Remarkable feat: Lithuanian swimmer Ruta Meilutyte celebrates after winning the women’s 100m breaststroke individual final of the World Championships in Barcelona on Tuesday. — EPA

Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius said the country was very proud of the 16-year-old for winning gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke on Tuesday.

“We are convinced that you will rewrite the world’s swimming history and become the best all-time swimmer,” Butkevicius said in a statement.

President Dalia Grybauskaite added that the swimmer had united the nation of 3mil people.

Meilutyte, who attends school in Plymouth, southwest England, took gold at the championships in Barcelona exactly a year after her shock win in the Olympic final in London.

The Lithuanian triumph came a day after she set a world record of 1:04.35 in Monday’s 100m breaststroke semi-finals.

“Glory was not a burden to her,” the Lietuvos rytas daily said on Wednesday, as newspapers and websites lauded “the swimming princess” and “Lithuanian golden fish”.

Lithuania has won two bronze medals in world championships since it declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. Nine swimmers competed for the Baltic state in Barcelona.

Meilutyte has yet to swim in the 50m breastroke as well as the 50m and 100m freestyles. — AFP


Star Online : Ledecky the brightest star in Americans' galaxy

BARCELONA (Reuters) - American teenager Katie Ledecky smashed the world record in the women's 1,500 metres freestyle final by more than six seconds during a glittering session for the United States at the world championships on Tuesday.

Gold medalist Katie Ledecky of the U.S. poses with her medal at the women's 1500m freestyle victory ceremony during the World Swimming Championships at the Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona July 30, 2013. REUTERS/Michael Dalder

The 16-year-old from Bethesda, who also won the 400 freestyle gold medal on Sunday, powered away from defending champion Lotte Friis of Denmark in the final stages to break the previous best of 15:42.54 set by compatriot Kate Ziegler in 2007.

It was the second world record of the championships in the specially constructed pool at the hilltop Palau Sant Jordi after Ruta Meilutyte's mark in qualifying for the 100 metres breaststroke on Monday.

Lithuanian Meilutyte, born two days after Ledecky in March 1997, went on to claim a first world championship gold for the tiny Baltic nation when she triumphed in Tuesday's final.

She was unable to better Monday's effort but still produced the second-fastest time ever of 1:04.42, just seven hundredths slower than her record 1:04.35.

Ledecky's team mate Missy Franklin, who won four gold medals and one bronze in last year's London Olympics, secured her second gold of the week with victory in the 100 metres breaststroke and Matt Grevers claimed the 100 metres backstroke title.

Ryan Lochte, the second-most decorated men's world championship medallist after compatriot Michael Phelps, provided a rare moment of disappointment for the U.S. team when he could manage only fourth in the 200 metres freestyle final.

Frenchman Yannick Agnel followed up on his triumph at last year's London Olympics to take gold and Conor Dwyer salvaged some pride for the U.S. with silver.

"We've had an absolutely incredible evening," an excited Franklin, who is swimming eight events in Barcelona, told reporters.

Ledecky sat on the shoulder of Friis for much of their two-horse race but the Dane was left trailing by a powerful late charge from the Olympic 800 metres champion and finished with silver in 15:38.88, also inside Ziegler's mark.

Lauren Boyle of New Zealand was third in 15:44.71 ahead of Spain's Mireia Belmonte Garcia in 15:58.83.

"It was really tough, my hardest race ever," Ledecky told reporters.

"I knew we were going pretty fast and I figured that whoever came out on top was probably going to get the world record.

"I had to be careful not to push it too early or push it too late and just touch the wall first. Around the last 200 I knew I could take off."

MOVING FORWARD

Succeeding Ziegler as the fastest woman over 1,500 metres was extra special, Ledecky said, as the 2011 world championship silver medallist behind Friis hails from the same part of the United States.

"It means the world to me," said a still-dripping Ledecky, goggle marks visible around her eyes.

"Kate Ziegler is from my area and I have looked up to her my whole life.

"I am really honoured to break that world record and to keep it in the Potomac valley.

"I'm still 16 so I hope I have plenty years left of swimming and I guess we'll see where my limit is."

Franklin had a gruelling day as she had to qualify for Wednesday's 200 metres freestyle final around an hour after claiming backstroke gold.

It was the 18-year-old's fifth world championship title, already putting her fourth among her compatriots.

"It was tough but it was awesome," she told reporters.

"It was nice to have the final before the semi-final - it was the other way around in London," she added.

"Hopefully I will keep the momentum going, hopefully Team USA will too."

Agnel added a world 200 metres freestyle title to his Olympic gold when he comfortably outgunned Dwyer, with Russia's Danila Izotov taking bronze ahead of Lochte.

"This medal means a lot," Agnel, who has recently started training with Phelps's former coach Bob Bowman, told reporters.

"I just wanted to enjoy myself, I was relaxed," he added.

"Even if a world title is less important than an Olympic title this is hugely significant."

Lochte, 28, who is swimming seven events this week, said he had made crucial mistakes.

"I am a bit disappointed with the time but you know I've got to keep moving forward," he said on Spanish television.

"There were a lot of places where I messed up but hopefully I can fix it in the next three years (before the 2016 Olympics) and I can make it better."

There was consolation for Lochte when team mate Matt Grevers took gold in the backstroke and compatriot David Plummer claimed silver ahead of France's Jeremy Stravius.

Stravius tied for gold with compatriot Camille Lacourt at the last world championships in Shanghai two years ago and Lacourt finished fifth this time around behind Ryosuke Irie of Japan in fourth.

Four finals are scheduled for Wednesday; the men's 50 metres breaststroke, 200 metres butterfly and 800 metres freestyle and the women's 200 metres freestyle.

(Additional reporting by Emma Pinedo in Madrid; Editing by John Mehaffey)


Star Online : Meilutyte adds breaststroke gold to world record

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Lithuanian teenager Ruta Meilutyte won the 100 metres breaststroke gold at the world championships in Barcelona on Tuesday with a time just outside the world record she set in Monday's qualifying.

Lithuania's Ruta Meilutyte reacts after winning the women's 100m breaststroke final during the World Swimming Championships at the Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona July 30, 2013. REUTERS/Michael Dalder

The 16-year-old Olympic champion touched in a time of one minute 04.42 seconds, seven hundredths slower than Monday's blistering effort of 1:04.35.

Yuliya Efimova of Russia took silver in 1:05.02, matching her result from the 2009 championships in Rome, and American Jessica Hardy, who held the world record before Meilutyte, bronze in 1:05.52.

(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Star Online : Grevers wins gold for U.S. in 100 metres backstroke

BARCELONA (Reuters) - American Matt Grevers won gold in the men's 100 metres backstroke at the world championships in Barcelona on Tuesday.

Grevers, the Olympic champion, touched in a time of 52.93 seconds, with compatriot David Plummer taking silver in 53.12 and France's Jeremy Stravius bronze in 53.21.

Stravius tied for gold with compatriot Camille Lacourt at the last world championships in Shanghai two years ago and Lacourt finished fifth this time around behind Ryosuke Irie of Japan in fourth.

Matt Grevers of the U.S. (R) is congratulated by second place and compatriot David Plummer after winning the men's 100m backstroke final during the World Swimming Championships at the Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona July 30, 2013. REUTERS/Michael Dalder

(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Justin Palmer)


Star Online : Sun bidding for second gold of possible treble

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Sun Yang can tick the second of three boxes in his bid for a treble of distance golds when the towering Chinese competes in the 800 metres freestyle final at the world swimming championships in Barcelona on Wednesday.

Sun Yang of China reacts after competing in the men's 800m freestyle heats during the World Swimming Championships at the Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona July 30, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Ge

Sun matched a feat previously achieved only by Grant Hackett when he claimed the 400 freestyle title on Sunday to become the second man only after the Australian to claim world titles at 400, 800 and 1,500 metres.

His three titles came at two different championships - he won the 800 and 1,500 in Shanghai two years ago and was second in the 400 - but he is now on course to match Hackett's three golds from the 2005 edition in Montreal.

American teenager Missy Franklin can win her third gold in three finals contested this week when she lines up in the 200 metres freestyle.

Olympic silver medallist Camille Muffat of France is likely to pose a strong threat to the 18-year-old, while world record holder and defending champion Federica Pellegrini cannot be discounted after going fastest in Tuesday's semi-finals.

The 24-year-old's qualifying performance was a surprise as she said before the championships she was focusing on the 200 metres backstroke.

Two other finals are scheduled for Wednesday.

South Africa's Chad le Clos caused a sensation when he beat Michael Phelps to win 200 metres butterfly gold at the London Olympics and he was quickest in Tuesday's semis.

In the men's 50 metres breaststroke, Le Clos's compatriot Cameron Van Der Burgh swam 0.11 seconds outside his own world record to top qualifying.

Australian Christian Sprenger, who beat Van Der Burgh into second place to win the 100 metres breaststroke gold on Monday and is chasing his nation's first gold at the shorter distance, was fourth quickest in 27.30.

(Reporting by Iain Rogers; Editing by John Mehaffey)


Star Online : Ledecky smashes 1,500 freestyle world record

BARCELONA (Reuters) - American teenager Katie Ledecky slashed six seconds off the world record to win gold in the women's 1,500 metres freestyle at the world championships in Barcelona on Tuesday.

Katie Ledecky of the U.S. celebrates after setting a new world record to win the women's 1500m freestyle final during the World Swimming Championships at the Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona July 30, 2013. REUTERS/Michael Dalder

The 16-year-old, who also took the 400 metres freestyle title on Sunday, touched in a time of 15 minutes 36.53 seconds to destroy the previous best of 15:42.54 set by compatriot Kate Ziegler in 2007.

Lotte Friis of Denmark led for much of the race at the hilltop Palau Sant Jordi, with Ledecky lurking on her shoulder, but could not match the American's late burst and finished with silver in 15:38.88, also inside Ziegler's mark.

Lauren Boyle of New Zealand was third in 15:44.71 ahead of Spain's Mireia Belmonte Garcia in 15:58.83.

"It was really tough, my hardest race ever," Ledecky told reporters.

"I knew we were going pretty fast and I figured that whoever came out on top was probably going to get the world record.

"I had to be careful not to push it too early or push it too late and just touch the wall first."

(Reporting by Iain Rogers; Editing by John Mehaffey)


FINA Live Blog : Swimming, Day 3 - Women's 100m backstroke: Franklin (USA) maintains winning ways

Olympic champion Missy Franklin captured her second gold medal of the Barcelona World Championships with an emphatic victory in the 100m backstroke. The 18-year-old American, who led the USA to victory in the 4x100m freestyle relay on the opening evening in the pool, dominated the race from start to finish. She turned at 50 metres in 28.62, inside world record pace, and won by a comfortable margin in 58.42, finishing 0.30 seconds outside the 2009 world mark of Gemma Spofforth (GBR).

Emily Seebohm (AUS) took the silver, 0.64 seconds behind, in 59.06, and Aya Terakawa (JPN), 50m backstroke silver medallist in 2011, the bronze in 59.23. The 1-2-3 order repeated the medal podium of the 2012 Olympics. Franklin won four gold medals at the London Olympics and is in the hunt for more medals in Barcelona.

World Record: Gemma Spofforth (GBR), 58.12 – July 28, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Championships Record: Gemma Spofforth (GBR), 58.12 – July 28, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Best performance of the current season (since January 2013): Missy Franklin (USA), 58.42 – July 30 in Barcelona (ESP)
2003-2011 winners in this event: 2003 – Antje Buschschulte (GER, 1:00.50); 2005 – Kirsty Coventry (ZIM, 1:00.24); 2007 – Natalie Coughlin (USA, 59.44); 2009 – Gemma Spofforth (GBR, 58.12); 2011 – Jing Zhao (CHN, 59.05)
The best in this event (1. most victories or 2. fastest time): Ulrike Richter (GDR, 1973 & 1975) and Natalie Coughlin (USA, 2001 & 2007)
2012 Olympic podium: 1. Missy Franklin (USA, 58.33), 2. Emily Seebohm (AUS, 58.68), 3. Aya Terakawa (JPN, 58.83)


FINA Live Blog : Swimming, Day 3 - Men's 200m freestyle: Agnel (FRA) wins second Barcelona gold


Olympic champion Yannick Agnel (FRA) bagged his second gold medal of the World Championships with a runaway victory in the men's 200m freestyle. Agnel, already a Barcelona gold medallist in the French 4x100m freestyle relay on Day 1, led all the way to take the title in 1:44.20. Conor Dwyer (USA) came through from fifth on the last length to snatch the silver in 1:45.32, with Danila Izotov (RUS), bronze medallist in 2009, claiming another bronze, in 1:45.59. It was a second Barcelona bronze for Izotov after he helped Russia to third place in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

Defending champion Ryan Lochte (USA) held third place in the middle stages of the race but finished outside the medals in fourth spot (1:45.64). Lochte, the reigning Olympic 400m individual medley champion, also finished fourth in the 200m freestyle at the 2012 London Olympics. Kosuke Hagino (JPN), silver medallist in the Barcelona 400m freestyle, was fifth. Olympic silver medallist Yang Sun chose not to contest the event, concentrating instead on the 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle, having got his campaign off to a flying start with victory in the 400. Tae-hwan Park (KOR), champion in 2011, did not defend his title.

World Record: Paul Biedermann (GER), 1:42.00 – July 28, 2009 in Rome (2009)
Championships Record: Paul Biedermann (GER), 1:42.00 – July 28, 2009 in Rome (2009)
Best performance of the current season (since January 2013): Yannick Agnel (FRA), 1:44.20 – July 30 in Barcelona (ESP)
2003-2011 winners in this event: 2003 – Ian Thorpe (AUS, 1:45.14); 2005 – Michael Phelps (USA, 1:45.20); 2007 – Michael Phelps (USA, 1:43.86); 2009 – Paul Biedermann (GER, 1:42.00); 2011 – Ryan Lochte (USA, 1:44.44)
The best in this event (1. most victories or 2. fastest time): Michael Gross (FRG, 1982 & 1986), Ian Thorpe (AUS, 2001 & 2003) and Michael Phelps (USA, 2005 & 2007)
2012 Olympic podium: 1. Yannick Agnel (FRA, 1:43.14), 2= Tae-hwan Park (KOR) and Yang Sun (CHN), 1:44.93


source : Barcelona 2013 - FINA Live Blog


The NST : SWIMMING: Double surgery fails to stop Cielo

BARCELONA: Brazil's Cesar Cielo admitted he was relieved to have retained his men's 50m butterfly title on Monday at the World Championships, just ten months after surgery on both knees.
Brazil's Cesar Cielo shows off the 50m butterfly gold he won at the World Championships on Monday. AFP pic

Cielo claimed gold in a winning time of 23.01s with Eugene Godsoe of the US just four hundredths of a second behind claiming silver and France's Frederick Bousquet at 0.10s back to take the bronze.

With five gold medals from the last three World Championships, Cielo exploded with delight when his victory was confirmed after a difficult build-up to Barcelona.

"It was very tense, very nervous and my finish made all the difference," said Cielo, a sprint specialist, who won both the world 50m butterfly and freestyle titles in Shanghai two years ago.

After taking bronze in the 50m freestyle at the London Olympics, Cielo underwent surgery on both knees at the end of 2012 and admitted he was concerned the impact that would have on his performance in Barcelona.

"It was a really hard time for me after the Olympics," said the 26-year-old, who won the 50m freestyle Olympic gold at Beijing 2008.

"Right now, I'm 10 months on from the surgery and now looking forward to some time off, I am going to focus on getting my knees back to 100 per cent.

"I'm comfortable talking about my knees again: for the first three months after surgery I just wanted to practise and go home, I didn't want anyone to see me swimming the way I was practising.

"I'm not feeling 100 per cent just yet, because we didn't have time in training to get to full fitness, but I'm feeling very fast.

"I'm not as powerful, because I wasn't able to do squats in the gym or do any heavy weights, so we tried to focus on being fast and it worked.

"I want to thank my coach for implementing that vision.

"We tried to build the muscles in the way I was going to be able to use them effectively, so to win the gold medal is a huge relief."

The Brazilian started working with a new coach Scott Goodrich at Auburn University in Alabama earlier this year and Cielo said the move has paid off.

"I think the main change was having a new coach this year," admitted the Brazilian.

"I felt like after the surgery I needed a fresh start with a fresh mentality to get better results after the Olympics." AFP


Read more: SWIMMING: Double surgery fails to stop Cielo - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/swimming-double-surgery-fails-to-stop-cielo-1.329737#ixzz2aahXSl00

The NST : SWIMMING: Ruta lights up Barcelona


WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Lithuanian lass smashes 100m breaststroke world record

LITHUANIAN teenager Ruta Meilutyte lit up the second day of action at the World Championships with the first world record of the week as Brazil, Australia, Hungary and Sweden all struck gold at Barcelona's hilltop Palau Sant Jordi on Monday.

Following up on her Olympic title in London last year, the 16-year-old Ruta scorched to a time of one minute 04.35 seconds in the semi-finals of the 100 metres breaststroke, shaving a tenth off the previous record of 1:04.45 set by American Jessica Hardy in 2009.

Cesar Cielo of Brazil claimed a second consecutive 50m butterfly title, Australia's Christian Sprenger took gold in the 100m breaststroke and there were triumphs for Katinka Hosszu of Hungary in the 200m individual medley and Swedish teenager Sarah Sjostrom in the 100m butterfly.

Katinka's race produced the biggest surprise of the day when Olympic champion Ye Shiwen of China failed to defend her title from the 2011 championships in Shanghai and finished outside the medals in fourth.

Ruta, who trains in England and is chasing the tiny Baltic nation's first world championship gold, had already gone close to the world record in her heat on Monday morning with a time of 1:04.52.

She then became the first Lithuanian woman to break a swimming world record since the country gained its independence from the Soviet Union more than two decades ago.

Improving on Jessica's time had been "one of her dreams" and was more important than winning yesterday's final but a gold would nonetheless be the "cherry on the cake", Ruta told reporters.

Australia came into the championships hoping to put a woeful performance at the London Olympics behind them and Sprenger gave them just the tonic they were seeking when he came from behind to beat Olympic champion and world record holder Cameron Van Der Burgh of South Africa in the day's opening final.

Van Der Burgh, who was coming back from a knee injury, led at the turn but Sprenger powered through to touch in a time of 58.79 seconds, with the South African just behind in 58.97. Felipe Lima of Brazil took bronze with 59.65.

Victory for Brazilian Cielo, a gold medallist in Shanghai, made him only the second man to win the 50 metres butterfly twice after South African Roland Schoeman.

In a relatively slow race, Cielo touched in 23.01 seconds and was close to tears on the podium as his national anthem boomed out around the arena. American Eugene Godsoe took silver in 23.05 and Fred Bousquet of France was third in 23.11.

"The final is not the time to swim fast, the final is the time to touch first and I'm not surprised we swam a little slower tonight," Cielo, 26, told reporters.

Sarah, who won the 100m butterfly at the 2009 championships in Rome, reclaimed the title after a fourth-place finish in Shanghai.

The 19-year-old touched in a time of 56.53 seconds, while Australia's Alicia Coutts repeated her silver from 2011 with 56.97. Olympic champion and world record holder Dana Vollmer of the US was third in 57.24.

Alicia went on to claim another silver in the 200m medley which may help make up for the disappointment of surrendering the lead to the US on the final leg of Sunday's 4x100 freestyle.
Hungary's Katinka, sixth in Shanghai and a bronze medallist in Rome in 2009, led on all four legs and touched in a time of two minutes and 07.92 seconds.

Alicia finished in 2:09.39, repeating her second place from 2011, and Spain's Mireia Belmonte Garcia held off Shiwen and delighted the home support with bronze in 2:09.45 before dedicating her medal to the victims of last week's train crash in Galicia. Reuters

Lithuania's Ruta Meilutyte swims to new world record of 1:04.35 in a 100m breaststroke semi-final at the World Championships on Monday. Inset : Ruta. AP pic


Read more: SWIMMING: Ruta lights up Barcelona - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/swimming-ruta-lights-up-barcelona-1.329739#ixzz2aadLDZco


Tuesday 30 July 2013

FINA Live Blog : Swimming, Day 2: World Record for Meilutyte (LTU)

Olympic champion Ruta Meilutyte claimed the first world record of the 15th FINA World Championships in a landmark swim for Lithuania in the women's 100m reaststroke. Meilutyte,16, clocked 1:04.35 in the semi-finals to better the 1:04.45 set by Jessica Hardy (USA) in Federal Way, Washington, on August 7, 2009. It was the first swimming world record in the 50m pool for her country since it gained its independence on the break-up of the former Soviet Union.

Four world titles were decided in the pool, with the victors coming from three continents, embracing Oceania, Europe and the Americas. Christian Sprenger provided Australia with the first gold of the evening, beating Olympic champion Cameron van der Burgh (RSA) into second place in the men's 100m breaststroke. Sprenger prevailed in 58.79 ahead of Van der Burgh (58.97) and Felipe Lima (BRA, 59.65) in an event won last time by Alexander Dale Oen (NOR), who sadly died in 2012.

Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom reclaimed the 100m butterfly title she had won in 2009, this time deposing defending champion and Olympic gold medallist Dana Vollmer (USA). Sjostrom, winner of the world title in 2009, won in 56.53, with Alicia Coutts (AUS), already a Barcelona silver medallist in the 4x100m freestyle relay, claiming her second successive world 100m butterfly silver (56.97). Vollmer took the bronze in 57.24.

Brazil's Cesar Cielo retained his 50m butterfly crown and claimed the fifth world title of his career. He won in 23.01 to add to the golds he scooped in the 50 and 100m freestyle in 2009 and 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly in 2011. Eugene Godsoe (USA) took the silver (23.05) and Fred Bousquet (FRA) bronze (23.11).

Katinka Hosszu put Hungary on the top step of the podium with an emphatic victory in the women's 200m individual medley. Hosszu, 400m individual medley champion in 2009, took charge from the start as Olympic gold medallist and defending champion Shiwen Ye (CHN) finished outside the medals in fourth place. Hosszu won in 2:07.92, with Olympic silver medallist Alicia Coutts (AUS) collecting her third silver medal in two days, clocking 2:09.39. Mireia Belmonte earned the cheers of Spain's home fans with the bronze.


source : Barcelona 2013 - FINA Live Blog

FINA Live Blog : Swimming, Day 2 - Women's 200m IM: Hungarian rhapsody for Hosszu


Katinka Hosszu brought Hungary their first world title in the Barcelona pool with an emphatic victory in the women's 200m individual medley. Hosszu, 400m individual medley champion in 2009 when she also took bronze in the 200 IM, took charge from the outset and never allowed her rivals near as Olympic gold medallist and defending champion Shiwen Ye of China finished outside the medals in fourth place.

Hosszu, eighth in the event at the 2012 Olympics, won in 2:07.92, with Olympic silver medallist Alicia Coutts (AUS) collecting her third silver medal in two days, clocking 2:09.39 and repeating her 2011 world silver. The 25-year-old Australian had started the evening session with silver in the 100m butterfly to go with her silver the previous evening in the 4x100m freestyle relay. Home fans cheered Mireia Belmonte, Spain's double Olympic silver medallist in 2012, as she took the bronze in 2:09.45, just 0.06 seconds behind Coutts. Ye, the youngest world 200 IM champion ever when she won in 2011 at just 15, was barely in the hunt and had to settle for fourth in 2:10.48

World Record: Ariana Kukors (USA), 2:06.15 – July 27, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Championships Record: Ariana Kukors (USA), 2:06.15 – July 27, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Best performance of the current season (since January 2013): Katinka Hosszu (HUN), 2:07.92 – July 29, in Barcelona (ESP)
2003-2011 winners in this event: 2003 – Yana Klochkova (UKR, 2:10.75); 2005 – Katie Hoff (USA, 2:10.41); 2007 – Katie Hoff (USA, 2:10.13); 2009 – Ariana Kukors (USA, 2:06.15); 2011 – Shiwen Ye (CHN, 2:08.90)
The best in this event (1. most victories or 2. fastest time): Katie Hoff (USA, 2005 & 2007)
2012 Olympic podium: 1. Shiwen Ye (CHN, 2:07.57), 2.Alicia Coutts (AUS, 2:08.15), 3. Caitlin Leverenz (USA, 2:08.95)


source : Barcelona 2013 - FINA Live Blog


FINA Live Blog : Swimming, Day 2 - Men's 50m butterfly: 5th World gold for Cielo (BRA)


Cesar Cielo sprinted home in a tight finish to retain his 50m butterfly crown and claim the fifth world title of his career. The Brazilian flyer, world 50 and 100m freestyle champion in 2009 and 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly champion in 2011, made it five world golds but it was a very close-run thing. Cielo, Olympic 50m freestyle champion in 2008, hit the wall in the one-length lung-buster in 23.01 as Eugene Godsoe (USA), the slowest qualifier in outside lane 8, scooped the silver in 23.05, just 0.04 seconds adrift. Fred Bousquet (FRA), now 32, claimed the bronze in 23.11 to add to a collection which includes world silver in the 50m freestyle and bronze in the 100m free from 2009.

Cielo's Brazilian team-mate Nicholas Santos, the fastest final qualifier and at 33 the oldest man in the race, finished just 0.20 seconds behind the winner and 0.10 behind Bousquet in fourth place (23.21). Five of the semi-final times were quicker than Cielo's winning time in the final.

Reigning Olympic 50m freestyle champion Florent Manaudou, a Barcelona gold medal already in his possession from the victorious French 4x100m freestyle relay, was eighth and last, a mere 0.34 seconds behind champion Cielo. World record holder Rafael Munoz (ESP) and 2005 and 2007 world champion Roland Schoeman (RSA) failed to make the final.

World Record: Rafael Munoz (ESP), 22:43 – April 5, 2009 in Malaga (ESP)
Championships Record: Milorad Cavic (SRB), 22.67 – July 27, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Best performance of the current season (since January 2013): Nicholas Santos (BRA), 22.81 – July 28, in Barcelona (ESP)
2003-2011 winners in this event: 2003 – Matt Welsh (AUS, 23.43); 2005 – Roland Schoeman (RSA, 22.96); 2007 – Roland Schoeman (RSA, 23.18); 2009 – Milorad Cavic (SRB, 22.67); 2011 – Cesar Cielo (BRA, 23.10)
The best in this event (1. most victories or 2. fastest time): Roland Schoeman (RSA, 2005 & 2007)
Not in the Olympic programme

source : Barcelona 2013 - FINA Live Blog


FINA Live Blog : Swimming, Day 2 - Women's 100m butterfly: Sjostrom (SWE) regains World crown


Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden reclaimed the world women's 100m butterfly title, deposing defending champion and Olympic gold medallist Dana Vollmer (USA). Sjostrom, winner of the world title in 2009, turned second at 50m behind Jeanette Ottesen Gray (DEN), who led inside world record pace.

But Ottesen Gray, joint champion in the 100m freestyle at the 2011 Worlds, could not keep her rivals at bay on the return length as Sjostrom, fourth at the 2012 Olympics, stormed through to win in 56.53.

Olympic bronze medallist Alicia Coutts, already a Barcelona silver medallist in the 4x100m freestyle relay, claimed her second successive world 100m butterfly silver, touching in 56.97, with Vollmer taking the bronze in 57.24, 0.03 seconds ahead of Ottesen Gray. China's Ying Lu, the Olympic silver medallist, failed to make the final. Vollmer's 55.98 world mark remained intact.

World Record: Dana Vollmer (USA), 55.98 – July 29, 2012 in London (GBR)
Championships Record: Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 56.06 – July 27, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Best performance of the current season (since January 2013): Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 56.53 – July 29 in Barcelona (ESP)
2003-2011 winners in this event: 2003 – Jenny Thompson (USA, 57.96); 2005 – Jessicah Schipper (AUS, 57.23); 2007 – Lisbeth Lenton (AUS, 57.15); 2009 – Sarah Sjostrom (SWE, 56.06); 2011 – Dana Vollmer (USA, 56.87)
The best in this event (1. most victories or 2. fastest time): Kornelia Ender (GDR, 1973 & 1975), Jenny Thompson (USA, 1998 & 2003), Sarah Sjostrom (SWE, 2009 & 2013)
2012 Olympic podium: 1. Dana Vollmer (USA, 55.98), 2. Ying Lu (CHN, 56.87), 3. Alicia Coutts (AUS, 56.94)

source : Barcelona 2013 - FINA Live Blog


FINA Live Blog : Swimming, Day 2 - Men's 100m breaststroke: Sprenger brings gold to Australia



Christian Sprenger brought Australia their first swimming gold medal of the FINA World Championships, winning the men's 100m breaststroke in a rousing duel with Olympic champion Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa. Van der Burgh, bronze medallist at the 2009 and 2011 Worlds, led at the turn inside world record pace, with Felipe Lima (BRA) second and Sprenger third. But Sprenger caught him as they battled down the return length to win in 58.79, with Van der Burgh - 50m breaststroke gold medallist in 2009 - taking the silver in 58.97 and Lima bronze in 59.65.

Sprenger, at 27 the oldest holder of the title, claimed Australia's second win in the event in the last three Worlds, 2009 victor Brenton Rickard having failed to progress beyond the heats this time.Van der BUrgh's 58.46 world record remained intact.

Kosuke Kitajima, Japan's double Olympic champion in both 2004 and 2008, had to settle for sixth place having won the world 100m and 200m breaststroke titles back in 2003 when Barcelona last hosted the championships. Italy's Fabio Scozzoli, silver medallist in the 50m and 100m breaststroke in 2011, was fifth this time. The race was held in the absence of 2011 world champion Alexander Dale Oen of Norway, who died in 2012 during a training camp in Arizona.

World Record: Cameron van der Burgh (RSA), 58.46 – July 29, 2012 in London (GBR)
Championships Record: Brenton Rickard (AUS), 58.58 – July 27, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Best performance of the current season (since January 2013): Christian Sprenger (AUS), 58.79 – July 29 in Barcelona (ESP)
2003-2011 winners in this event: 2003 – Kosuke Kitajima (JPN, 59.78); 2005 – Brendan Hansen (USA, 59.37); 2007 – Brendan Hansen (USA, 59.80); 2009 – Brenton Rickard (AUS, 58.58); 2011 – Alexander Dale Oen (NOR, 58.71)
The best in this event (1. most victories or 2. fastest time): Norbert Rozsa (HUN, 1991 & 1994) and Brendan Hansen (USA, 2005 & 2007)
2012 Olympic podium: 1. Cameron van der Burgh (RSA, 58.46), 2. Christian Sprenger (AUS, 58.93), 3. Brendan Hansen (USA, 59.49)

source : Barcelona 2013 : FINA Live Blog




The Star : Ching Hwang good for only 46th position

FROM LIM TEIK HUAT IN BARCELONA

Lim Ching Hwang could only finish 46th in the men's 200m freestyle. - GLENN GUAN / The Star


YOUNGSTER Lim Ching Hwang travelled nearly 11,000km to the World Championships, but it was all in vain as he failed to make a good impression in his debut at the Palau Sant Jordi pool yesterday.

The 16-year-old, who is studying in Singapore, clocked 1:52.49 in the heats to finish 46th overall in the men’s 200m freestyle – his only event in the championship.

Ching Hwang’s personal best is 1:50.42, clocked at the Singapore National Age-Group Championships in March this year to qualify for the world meet.

Singapore’s Joseph Schooling, who is studying at the renowned Bolles School in the United States, was also placed in the same heat as Ching Hwang.

It was a big boost for Joseph as he beat Ching Hwang with his time of 1:50.15 for 34th spot. Both are expected to battle it out for the gold at the Myanmar SEA Games in December.

Ching Hwang was disappointed with his performance, blaming the poor time on his academic schedule.

“I was hoping to do better than this but it just did not happen. I’ve not been training as much as I should due to my studies. I guess it’s back to more training and more races after this as I will be competing in the Asian Youth Games (in Nanjing, China, from Aug 16-24),” said Ching Hwang.

Siow Yi Ting was the other Malaysian in action yesterday. She clocked 1:10.82 to be ranked 37th overall in the 100m breaststroke.



Monday 29 July 2013

FINA Live Blog : Women’s 400m free: Ledecky (USA) wins gold in 3:59.82


From FINA Live Blog

In the much awaited duel between Katie Ledecky (USA) and Camille Muffat (FRA), the North American comfortably won the 400m free in a time of 3:59.82, the first performance under four minutes since the beginning of the year. Until the 300m-mark, Ledecky, the surprising winner of the 800m free at the 2012 Olympics, swam under the WR pace, but the last 100m proved to be quite hard for her. It is her first medal at the FINA World Championships.

The silver went to Spain’s Melania Costa, also the second fastest of the heats, in 4:02.47 – first success at this level –, while Lauren Boyle from New Zealand took home the bronze in 4:03.89, getting the first podium presence for her country in women’s events in the history of the FINA World Championships.

Muffat, the Olympic champion was far from her best, and concluded in a modest seventh place, in 4:07.67.

World Record: Federica Pellegrini (ITA), 3:59.15 – July 26, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Championships Record: Federica Pellegrini (ITA), 3:59.15 – July 26, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Best performance of the current season (since January 2013): Camille Muffat (FRA), 4:02.84 – June in Montecarlo (MON)
2003-2011 winners in this event: 2003 – Hannah Stockbauer (GER, 4:06.75); 2005 – Laure Manaudou (FRA, 4:06.44); 2007 – Laure Manaudou (FRA, 4:02.61); 2009 – Federica Pellegrini (ITA, 3:59.15); 2011 – Federica Pellegrini (ITA, 4:01.97)
The best in this event (1. most victories or 2. fastest time): Laure Manaudou (FRA, 2005 & 2007) and Federica Pellegrini (ITA, 2009 & 2011)
2012 Olympic podium: 1. Camille Muffat (FRA, 4:01.45), 2. Allison Schmitt (USA, 4:01.77), 3. Rebecca Adlington (GBR, 4:03.01)


source : Barcelona 2013 - FINA Live Blog


FINA Live Blog : Men’s 400m free: Yang Sun (CHN) confirms his credentials

From the FINA Live Blog

In the first swimming final of the 15th FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Yang Sun (CHN), the best performer of the season and the fastest of the heats, was the man to beat. And no one managed to beat him in the decisive race… The 2012 Olympic gold medallist in the 400m and 1500m free perfectly controlled the race and got the gold in 3:41.59, bettering the time of 3:42.93 he had swum in April at the National Championships in Zhengzhou.

Sun had a very solid first half of the race, cruising at the 200m-mark under the World Record pace (-0.47), but at the end he couldn’t approach his personal best of 3:40.14, his winning time at the London Olympics.

The silver went to Kosuke Hagino in 3:44.82, his first medal at World Championships; the 18-year-old Japanese swimmer had been bronze medallist at the 2012 Games in the 400m IM, and improved in Barcelona his personal best of 3:45.42. Connor Jaeger (USA) got the bronze in 3:44.85, also a first for him at this level. Ryan Cochrane (CAN) couldn’t reach the podium: the 2011 silver medallist in the 800m and 1500m free was fourth in 3:45.02.

World Record: Paul Biedermann (GER), 3:40.07 – July 26, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Championships Record: Paul Biedermann (GER), 3:40.07 – July 26, 2009 in Rome (ITA)
Best performance of the current season (since January 2013): Yang Sun (CHN), 3:42.93 – April in Zhengzhou (CHN)
2003-2011 winners in this event: 2003 – Ian Thorpe (AUS, 3:42.58); 2005 – Grant Hackett (AUS, 3:42.91); 2007 – Tae-Hwan Park (KOR, 3:44.30); 2009 – Paul Biedermann (GER, 3:40.07); 2011 – Tae-Hwan Park (KOR, 3:42.04)
The best in this event (1. most victories or 2. fastest time): Ian Thorpe (AUS, 1998, 2001 & 2003)
2012 Olympic podium: 1. Yang Sun (CHN, 3:40.14), 2. Tae-Hwan Park (KOR, 3:42.06), 3. Peter Vanderkaay (USA, 3:44.69)

source : Barcelona 2013 - FINA Live Blog

The Star : Sun shines in the heats

BARCELONA: China’s pool star Sun Yang threw down a marker for the 400m men’s freestyle final at the World Swimming Championships with the Olympic champion fastest in the morning’s heats.

Sun Yang was fastest in the men's 400m freestyle heats. - EPA

The 21-year-old Sun Yang clocked 3:44.67 in Barcelona with Canada’s Ryan Cochrane, who finished second to the Chinese at both the 2012 Olympics and 2011 Shanghai World Championships, second fastest in 3:45.74.

Teenager Katie Ledecky, the 800m freestyle Olympic champion, was the fastest into the 400m women’s final as the American swam 4:03.05 – a second faster than her nearest rival.

Ledecky has a punishing schedule in Barcelona, including the 400m, 800m and 1,500m freestyles, after winning the trio of events at the USA’s Olympic trials.

“I’ve put in the work in preparation this year, so I am ready for it,” said the 16-year-old.

France’s Olympic champion Camille Muffat finished sixth fastest, leaving something in reserve.

“I expected the heats before mine to be faster, I watched each one, so I knew not to go too fast,” said Muffat.

“This evening will be another race.”

The USA men’s relay team, the Olympic silver medallists, threw down a strong marker in the 4x100m heats ahead of the evening’s final.

The Americans were fastest qualifiers, winning their heat in 3:11.69, with Australia third fastest through in 3:13.04.

Russia were second fastest to take their heat in 3:12.43, with Olympic champions France fourth fastest in 3:14.01.

In the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay heats, the USA were the fastest qualifiers into the final in 3:36.22 with Olympic champions Australia just 0.24 of a second behind them.

There was disappointment in the 50m butterfly for South Africa’s Olympic 200m champion Chad le Clos, who failed to qualify for the semi-finals and finished only 23rd in the heats.

Compatriot Roland Shoeman was the fastest qualifier with 23.02 with defending world champion Cesar Cielo of Brazil eighth fastest.

South Africa’s Olympic champion Cameron van der Burgh qualified seventh in 100m breaststroke semi-finals with Australia’s Christian Sprenger fastest in 59.53.

“I feel good, but I know I can still do better,” admitted Van der Burgh.

Ye Shiwen, China’s 17-year-old world and Olympic 200m individual medley champion was second fastest to qualify for the semi-finals behind Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu, the 2009 world champion in the 400m IM.

Australia’s Alicia Coutts, doubling up after also qualifying fourth fastest in the morning’s 50m butterfly heats, finished seventh fastest in the 200m IM heats.

“I feel better now I have the heats out of the way, I can rest up now,” said the 25-year-old Coutts, who won Olympic 200m IM silver in London behind Shiwen.

America’s Elizabeth Beisel, the Olympic 400m IM silver medallist, finished fourth fastest in the 200m IM heats.

Australia’s Coutts and Dana Vollmer of the USA re-established their 100m butterfly rivalry with the American the fastest into last night’s semi-finals.

Vollmer, the reigning world and Olympic champion who set the world record in London last year, swam 57.22, with Coutts, who won world silver behind her two years ago in Shanghai, fourth fastest in 57.56.

“I’ll take that, I’m always a bit more nervous, but every race I have I’ll hopefully get calmer and go faster,” said Vollmer.

Sweden’s Sarah Nostromo was second fastest in the heats, ahead of today’s 100m butterfly final, after clocking 57.28, while China’s Lu Yung, the Olympic silver medallist went through as 12th fastest. — AFP


Sunday 28 July 2013

Star Online : National swimmers off to an unimpressive start in Barcelona

By Lim Teik Huat

BARCELONA: It was an unimpressive start for the national swimmers at the World Championships here today.

Kevin Yeap finished 36th out of 48 competitors in the men's 400m freestyle. - GLENN GUAN/The Star

Kevin Yeap was the first Malaysian to go into action at the Palau Sant Jordi pool. He clocked 3:59.08 in the 400m freestyle heats to finish 36th out of 48 competitors. It was way off his national record of 3:53.26 he set at the Malaysian Open in Bukit Jalil in May this year.

The only consolation for Kevin, the defending SEA Games champion, was that he was the top swimmer from South East-Asia ahead of Vietnam’s Pham Thanh Nguyen, who was placed 43rd with a time of 4:13.91. Sun Yang, China’s reigning Olympic champion, qualified fastest in 3:44.67.

Khoo Cai Lin swam in the same heat as American favourite Katie Ledecky in the women’s 400m freestyle. But Cai Lin failed to be inspired as she clocked 4:23.67 to be placed 30th overall. Ledecky, the London Olympic gold medallist in the 800m freestyle, was fastest in 4:03.05.

Cai Lin, who holds the national record of 4:10.75, will have to work harder now to bridge the gap ahead of the Myanmar SEA Games in December as she has fallen behind Lynette Lim of Singapore (22nd, 4:14.76) and Natthanan Junkrajang of Thailand (30th, 4:19.77).

As for Siow Yi Ting, she clocked 2:17.90 in the 200m individual medley heats to finish 32nd – the best performer from South-East Asia – ahead of Singapore’s Samantha Yeo (38th, 2:20.19).



Star Online : Former champion Rickard falls in 100 breaststroke heats

By Ian Rogers

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Australia's Brenton Rickard provided the first surprise of the world swimming championships when the 2009 gold medallist failed to make the semi-finals of the men's 100 metres breaststroke on the opening morning of racing in Barcelona on Sunday.

Bronze medallist Brenton Rickard of Australia poses after the men's 200m breaststroke final at the 10th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Dubai December 17, 2010. REUTERS/Rabih El Moghrabi
Rickard, a former world-record holder who was sixth at the London Olympics last year, could muster only the 17th fastest time at the hilltop Palau Sant Jordi pool, almost a second slower than compatriot Christian Sprenger who was quickest with a time of 59.53 seconds.

Russian Kirill Strelnikov was second fastest in 59.80 seconds ahead of Fabio Scozzoli of Italy, who finished in 59.88, tied with the 2004 and 2008 Olympic champion in both 100m and 200m breaststroke, Japan's Kosuke Kitajima.

South African Cameron Van Der Burgh, the world-record holder and the Olympic champion in London who is coming back from a knee injury, was seventh quickest in 1:00:02.

The semi-finals are later on Sunday and the final is on Monday.

China's Sun Yang and Frenchwoman Camille Muffat moved safely through to the 400m freestyle semi-finals as they sought to replicate their Olympic triumphs in London in the final later on Sunday.

Sun, aiming to become the only man after Australian Grant Hackett to win gold in 400m, 800m and 1,500m at the same world championships, was more than a second quicker than Canada's Ryan Cochrane, with Jordan Harrison of Australia third.

Muffat will have to pass what promises to be a stern test from American teenager Katie Ledecky, who may have Italian Federica Pellegrini's world record from the 2009 championships in Rome in her sights.

Ledecky returned the fastest time in the heats of 4:03:05 more than a second ahead of Spain's Melanie Costa Schmid (4:04:20) and Briton Jazmin Carlin (4:04:85). Muffat was down in sixth on 4:05:53.

Pellegrini also won the 400m freestyle in Shanghai two years ago but is focusing on the 200m backstroke in Barcelona.

Olympic champion and world-record holder Dana Vollmer of the United States was quickest in the heats for the women's 100 metres butterfly ahead of Swede Sarah Sjostrom, Canada's Katerine Savard and Alicia Coutts of Australia.

Lu Ying, Olympic silver medallist behind Vollmer in London, went through to the semis later on Sunday in 12th.

Aside from the 400m freestyle finals, medals will be decided in the men's and women's 4x100m relays later on Sunday.

(Editing by Clare Fallon)

NST : SWIMMING: US stars out to build on Phelps' legacy

BARCELONA: Swim stars Missy Franklin and Ryan Lochte have said Team USA must build on the legacy left by pool legend Michael Phelps with swimming's world championships starting today.

Phelps will only be a spectator at Barcelona's Palau Sant Jordi stadium after the 28-year-old retired last year having won a record 18th career Olympic gold medal at London 2012.

In his wake, 18-year-old Missy will be competing in eight events in Barcelona, having won four gold in London, while Lochte, 28, is scheduled to race in seven events over eight days.

Both have attracted comparisons to Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but they insist their compatriot is incomparable.

"Michael has his own legacy, I don't think anyone will ever match it," said Missy, who will race in the 100m and 200m freestyle, all three backstroke events over 50m, 100m and 200m, plus three relays.

"He has created a path in swimming which is such a bright light and will continue to shine for years and years to come.

"His legacy speaks for itself and we have to try and create our own."

Having enjoyed titanic battles with Phelps over the years, Lochte, who has won 12 world gold medals dating back to 2005, said he will miss his former rival, but has fresh competition to worry about.

"There is no doubt about it, Phelps is going to go down in history as the best swimmer ever," said Lochte.

"I wish he could come back, I liked racing against him, it was fun. He has made this sport bigger than what it is.

"He was the hardest swimmer I ever had to go up against and we have grown into a really good friendship because of that.

"Am I going miss him? Yes, I always love a challenge and we pushed each other.

"Now that he has gone, I am definitely going to miss him stepping up on the blocks next to me, but it's just not him I have to worry about.

"There are other people who are working hard to go even faster, I just have to work on myself and go as fast as I can."

Phelps has repeatedly ruled out a return to the pool and Lochte will be defending the four world titles he won at the 2011 world championships in Shanghai.

Having taken time away from the pool after winning two gold and two silver medals in London, Lochte said he is unsure how his body will react to racing after he took an extended training break.

Lochte still won the 200m free, 200m back and 200m medley at the US trials and was second in the 100m butterfly, which he will swim for the first time in a major international meet. AFP


Read more: SWIMMING: US stars out to build on Phelps' legacy - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/swimming-us-stars-out-to-build-on-phelps-legacy-1.327908#ixzz2aJMNAGl1

Saturday 27 July 2013

The NST : SWIMMING: Aspirants in a post-Phelps worlds

NEW ORDER: Old rivals and new claimants will bid to take the place of the much decorated American in Barcelona

   THE world’s top swimmers will be vying to fill the void left by Michael Phelps as the World Championships begin without the decorated American in Barcelona tomorrow.

    Phelps, who ended his glittering career after last year’s London Olympics, will be watching from the stands at the hilltop Palau Sant Jordi, a venue for the 1992 Olympics, as some of his old rivals bid to take his place as the global face of swimming.

    Americans Ryan Lochte and Nathan Adrian, Australia’s James Magnussen, Sun Yang of China, Frenchmen Yannick Agnel and Florent Manaudou and South Africa’s Chad le Clos will be the ones to watch as the sport comes to terms with the absence of Phelps who amassed 26 world championship and 18 Olympic gold.

    Lochte is defending the most titles from the last world championships in Shanghai in 2011, including the 200m  freestyle, the 200m backstroke and the 200m and 400m individual medleys.

    Among the women gunning for gold medals and world records are Americans Missy Franklin and Katie Ledecky, Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte, China’s Ye Shiwen, Cate Campbell and Alicia Coutts of Australia and Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands.

    Judging by the form book, the Americans are likely to take the absence of Phelps firmly in their stride and top the medals table for 13th time in 15 editions since the first world championships in Belgrade in 1973.

    The former East Germany briefly knocked them off their perch in 1982 and 1986.
    “The United States has been the globe’s aquatic power for eons,” according to website SwimVortex.com.

    “Even as the country undergoes a transition period, there is no reason to believe the Red, White and Blue won’t remain on top of the world pedestal,” it added.

    South Africa’s Le Clos caused a sensation in London when he pipped Phelps to win gold in the 200m butterfly and deny him a third straight title in his favourite event.

    The 21-year-old suffered an injured shoulder around the turn of the year and has decided to compete only in the three butterfly events in Barcelona.

    “Michael Phelps was a role model and an inspiration for me when I was growing up so I will miss him a little bit,” Le Clos, who has become good friends with his boyhood hero, told a news conference on Wednesday.

    “He’s going to be in the stands watching and hopefully watching me doing well.”
    The world championships also offer a chance for traditional powerhouses Australia to redeem themselves after a woeful performance in London.

    A damning review said team management had failed to prevent a “toxic culture” from developing in the squad, which produced Australia’s worst Olympic results in 20 years.

    Abuse of alcohol and prescription drugs, as well as flouting of curfews and bullying, had gone unchecked and contributed to the under-performance, the review said.

    The nation’s swimmers can put that right in Barcelona and fans will be expecting the likes of Magnussen and Christian Sprenger among the men and Cate and Alicia on the women’s side to step up.

    China, meanwhile, are cautiously optimistic and head coach Yao Zhengjie has set a target of four gold.

    China finished second behind the US at the Shanghai championships with five gold, two silver and seven bronze. Reuters


Read more: SWIMMING: Aspirants in a post-Phelps worlds - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/swimming-aspirants-in-a-post-phelps-worlds-1.327293#ixzz2aDoNX9om

Monday 22 July 2013

Withdrawals of swimmers pave way for others to swim in Sport Excel Grand Final 2013


Please note that there are a number of withdrawals of swimmers from the Sport Excel Junior Swimming Circuit, Grand Final 2013 and this will pave way for other swimmers to move up the rank to 24th place to swim in certain affected events.

Final up-date will be made known by the organiser as clubs submit their withdrawals until the cut-off of 22 July 2013.

The FINAL amended qualifying list has been released by the organiser as below.

Download : FINAL List of Qualifiers for Grand Final 2013 (amended as at 22 July, 2013)

Entry deadline remains on 1 August 2013.




Thursday 18 July 2013

NST :China targeting four golds at world championships

MADRID: China are cautiously optimistic of winning four gold medals at the world swimming championships starting later this month, head coach Yao Zhengjie said.

The Chinese team competing in Barcelona will be led by double London Olympic champions Sun Yang and Ye Shiwen, organisers said on Wednesday after the Asian nation named their team for the event in Spain.

“According to our results this year and the world rankings, I hope we can claim four golds, as we have four world fastest times,” Zhengjie was quoted as saying on the official championships website.

China finished second behind United States on the medal table at the last worlds in Shanghai two years ago, with five golds, two silvers and seven bronze.

The indoor swimming events begin on July 28 at a specially constructed pool at Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi, one of the venues for the 1992 summer Olympics. — Reuters


Ye Shiwen of China competes at women's 200m individual medley heats during the FINA World Swimming Championships in Istanbul in this December 15, 2012 file photo. REUTER/Murad Sezer/Files

The Star :On-the-mend Daniel shaping up well for the SEA Games

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

In form : Daniel Bego with his medals at the Malaysia Open Swimming Championship in Bukit Jalil.

PETALING JAYA: Don’t ever rule out Daniel Bego – not when it comes to the SEA Games.

The Sarawakian, who ruled the pool at the Laos SEA Games in 2009 with a five-gold splash, showed that he is shaping up well for the regional multi-sport event with a commendable performance at the World University Games (Universiade), which ended in Kazan yesterday.

Daniel surpass the Myanmar SEA Games qualifying mark of 50.98 by clocking 50.86 en route to winning his 100m freestyle heat.

The Myanmar SEA Games qualifying mark is based on the silver medal time from the previous SEA Games in Indonesia two years ago and it was refreshing to see Daniel posting his season best in Kazan.

It was something Daniel least expected, after having two shoulder surgeries to correct a long-standing bone spur problem before the 2011 Indonesia SEA Games.

The recuperation period forced him to withdraw from the Indonesia SEA Games.

The 100m freestyle is the second event that Daniel has qualified on merit for the SEA Games.

He also beat the SEA Games qualifying mark of 1:52.23 for the 200m freestyle by clocking 1:52.04 at the Singapore national age-group meet in March.



Tuesday 9 July 2013

Grand Final Qualifiers identified for Sport Excel 2013


The top 24 swimmers for each swim event who garnered the most points from both Leg 1 and Leg 2 have been identified and will enter the Sport Excel Final Leg scheduled to be held on 24-25 August, 2013.

IBSC, has a total of 39 qualifiers eligible for the Grand Final. Last year, IBSC as the defending champion was represented by 34 swimmers.

Congratulations to the following IBSC swimmers who have performed so well to qualify themselves into the Grand Final :


Group 2 Girls
Lilian Teh
Lee Chee Shian
Farra Dyana Ariffin
Amanda Grace Nunis
Yap Li Wen
Hana Syafiq
Group 2 Boys
Nicholas Soon
Tan Ei Siang
Goh Wai Hou
Howard Sim 
Desmond Ng
Adam Afif Bin Faizal
Afiq Imran Masron
Kenneth Ong
Bradley Lim
Kevin Lim
Muhd Alif Afifi

Group 3 Girls
Kimberly Ong
Phoebe Heather Law
Chong Yong Qi
Anjali Lim Wei Min
Karla Lim Kay Yee
Nuraina Naziha

Group 3 Boys
Chew Chee Ming
Sebastian Soon
Rohan Lee
Brandy Chew
Iqmal Muqhis
Low Ken Ji
Boonchuay Joanah
Ng Kai Wen

Group 4 Girls
Pun Pei Jin
Ashley Ting
Yeong Zhen Yi
Ng Zi Syuen
Group 4 Boys
Lee Jia Jing
David Ong
Khor Wei Ren
Sharizan Shazali




The full list of qualifiers can be downloaded below :-

Please note that entry deadline for the final leg is 1 August, 2013. All qualified entries will be automatically submitted by the club to the organiser, unless prior notification of any scratched events are given by swimmers.

The Grand Final will be held as follows :-

Date : 24 - 25,  August 2013 (Sat - Sun)
Time : 9.00 a.m. for heats; 3.00 pm for final
Venue : Kompleks Renang Kuala Lumpur, Bandar Tun Razak
Rules : FINA rules apply
Date of Reckoning : 1 January, 2013
Eligibility : Only swimmers who have qualified for their respective events (as per list above)
Entry Fees : RM4 per event
Entry Deadline : 1 August, 2013

Please see Invite from PRAKL.



Friday 5 July 2013

The Star : Lai Kwan hits out at ASUM for excluding her from world meet

Updated: Friday July 5, 2013 MYT 8:27:29 AM
By Lim Teik Huat


PETALING JAYA: Chui Lai Kwan has taken the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) to task for not allowing her to compete in the World Championships in Barcelona from July 19-Aug 4.

The Sabah swimmer clocked 26.28 to beat the B qualifying mark of 26.29 in the women’s 50m freestyle at the Singapore National Championships last weekend. The qualifying deadline for the world meet was July 1.

Lai Kwan’s joy, however, turned to anger when she was informed by ASUM that she would not be sent to the World Championships. ASUM have entered six swimmers – Lim Ching Hwang, Kevin Yeap, Shaun Yap Kah Choon, Christina Loh, Siow Yi Ting and Khoo Cai Lin — for the championships.

And Lai Kwan, the former SEA Games gold medallist, has written to Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Olympic Council of Malaysia secretary general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi and Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan to complain about being left out of the championships.

“ASUM said the last qualifying meet was the Malaysian Open (May 16-20). But they did not make a public announcement that the Malaysian Open was to be the last qualifying meet. Instead the announcement was made after the completion of the championships.

“I feel that this is totally unfair to all the Malaysian swimmers who have worked hard to qualify for the world meet. I have put in so much effort, time and money to qualify for the World Championships without any support and funding from the National Sports Council. Now all my efforts are in vain,” said the 23-year-old who made the New Delhi Commonwealth Games final in her pet event in 2010.

Lai Kwan felt that ASUM’s decision was personal following her decision to leave the national team in 2011.

“I left because I felt it was not suitable for me. I still have the will and desire to compete for my country. And I have continued to train very hard under Selangor elite team coach Marilyn Chua.

“Now, I feel very frustrated and demoralised. Every country is trying its best to send as many representatives as possible to the World Championships. I don’t know why ASUM think otherwise and have prevented me from competing.

“I feel that instead of developing Malaysian swimmers, ASUM are making it more difficult for us to achieve our full potential,” said Lai Kwan.

ALL in vain : Chui Lai Kwan beat the B qualifying mark at the Singapore National Championships last weekend but she has not been selected for the World Championships in Barcelona.


Thursday 4 July 2013

Sun Yang's Technique from different angles



Source : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uncOBURz-6o


In last summer London Olympic 2012, Sun Yang clocked 14:31.02 seconds in the 1,500m freestyle marathon race, slicing 3.12 seconds off his mark from last year's world championships in Shanghai.

Observe how Sun Yang swim his long distance race at various angles.

Enjoy and learn!

IANS : Olympic champion Sun Yang prepares for swimming worlds

By Indo Asian News Service | IANS India Private Limited 

Hangzhou (China), July 3 (IANS) Olympic and world champion Sun Yang is preparing for the Barcelona world championships without his long time mentor Zhu Zhigen, following their fall out.

Right now Sun trains in Hong Kong under former Chinese head coach Zhang Yadong, reports Xinhua.

"I will get rid of all distractions and go all out to prepare for the worlds," the Olympic 1,500m freestyle winner wrote on his microblog.

Zhang is pleased with Sun's training.

"He is focused and finding back his form," Zhang said Wednesday.

Sun became the first Chinese man to win an Olympic swimming title in London last year. He set a world record in the 1,500m to win in Shanghai worlds in 2011 where he also triumphed in the 800m free. But he only registered for 400m and 1,500m events in the world championships.

"Sun Yang only had two events registered. We are concerned that he is not able to perform well as he has lacked systematic training during the past six months. We are not even sure about these two events now," Chinese swimming association deputy head Shang Xiutang said.

But Zhang said that registrations may change as Sun is getting in shape.

The 22-year-old once again became a headline figure at the beginning of this year with a public row with coach Zhu Zhigen. Sun refused to train after he fell in love with an air hostess and threatened to split with Zhu when the coach told him to refrain from the romantic relationship.

Though the two parties put on a gesture of reconciliation under the mediation of swimming authorities, Sun once again requested parting of ways with Zhu after 10 years of training with him.


Tuesday 2 July 2013

Asia One Sports : Darren Lim is S'pore's fastest swimmer

By Chan U-Gene
The Sunday Times

SINGAPORE - Young Darren Lim rose high above a field of local titans yesterday to claim the crown of Singapore's fastest man at the National Swimming Championships.

While Darren Lim did not break Ang Peng Siong's time of 22.69sec, the former Singapore great says it is only a matter of time before the 14-year old does so. Coach Gary Tan also feels that Darren has time on his side to go even faster.

In winning the 50m freestyle final, the 14-year-old also became the first Singaporean since Ang Peng Siong to go below the 23-second barrier - without the now-banned supersuit that was standard wear in the last decade.

Darren brought the entire crowd at the Singapore Sports School to their feet in yesterday morning's heats when he touched home as the fastest qualifier in 22.73sec.

An afternoon of anticipation followed as the swimming community wondered whether Ang's 30-year-old mark of 22.69 would finally fall.

It was not to be but Darren's 22.87 showing in the final still assured him the gold.

Russell Ong, 24, who clocked 22.97 with the aid of the supersuit in 2009, was second in 23.33.

China's Wei Wen, 22, came in third in 23.77.

SEA Games champion Arren Quek, 20, was fourth with 23.84 and missed out on qualifying for this December's edition in Myanmar.

Said a grinning Darren after the race: "It feels good but I know it's easier to get to the top as compared to staying there. I've to train a lot harder now because the rest of them will be aiming to beat me."

His Swimfast Aquatic club coach Gary Tan feels that, with time on his side, the sprint sensation can go a lot faster.

Source : http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20130701-433742.html

5th ASEAN School Games 2013 - Swimming Results


The full swimming results of the 5th ASEAN School Games 2013 which was held in Hanoi, Vietnam recently can be downloaded here.

The total metal tally for swimming is depicted below with Malaysia in second position taking home 8 gold, 12 silver and 4 bronze.


Next year's 6th AGS 2014 is scheduled to be hosted by Philippines.


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