Ryan Lochte threatened his own world record as he won the 200m individual medley on Saturday at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.
Lochte notched the third-fastest time in history as he won in one minute, 54.43 seconds, showing that he could challenge the world mark of one minute, 54.10 seconds that he set last year before high-tech bodysuits were banned.
“I wasn’t really focused on getting the world record, I was just focusing on swimming tough,” said Lochte, who claimed his sixth gold in four days.
PHOTO: AFP
NOT OUT OF REACH
However, Lochte said he wanted to show that not all of the world marks set last year — when the bodysuits contributed to a re-writing of the sport’s record book — are as far out of reach as some have said.
“I just wanted to prove to everyone that it could happen,” Lochte said. “If I’d just taken one or two more dolphin kicks, I would’ve had it.”
Behind Lochte, teammate Tyler Clary won the battle for silver with a time of one minute, 57.61 seconds, edging Brazil’s Thiago Pereira, who took bronze in one minute, 57.83 seconds.
Former world record-holder Michael Phelps opted out of the event, choosing to focus on his butterfly leg in the 4x100m medley relay.
That paid off as Phelps overtook Masayuki Kishida after Junya Koga and Kosuke Kitajima had given Japan a slim lead going into the butterfly.
Swimming the freestyle anchor leg, Nathan Adrian sealed the US victory in three minutes, 32.48 seconds, with Japan second in three minutes, 33.90 seconds and Australia third in three minutes, 35.55 seconds.
JAPAN POWER
Kitajima, who earlier won the 200m breaststroke in the fastest time in the world this year of two minutes, 08.36 seconds, said Japan want to reassert themselves in international relay competition.
“Obviously the United States is above and beyond, but we can put up a good fight,” he said.
With the Asian Games looming later this year, Kitajima said he was happy with his week.
“Frankly, I was a little worried about the 200, but I made a very good time for this season so I’m very satisfied,” he said.
The US enjoyed another big night, winning six of 10 events.
Adrian also pipped world record-holder Cesar Cielo in the 50m freestyle.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care