Magnussen ends long Aussie wait
Source: Agencies |
July 29, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
JAMES Magnussen's exuberant punch into the water ended more than 40 years of frustration for Australia as he stormed to victory in the 100m freestyle at the world championships in Shanghai yesterday.
Magnussen clocked 47.63 seconds to claim the gold medal ahead of Canadian Brent Hayden (47.95) and William Meynard of France (48.00).
The win by the 20-year-old represented Australia's first men's 100 freestyle title since the world championships started in 1973. Additionally, no Australian male has won the blue riband event at a global competition since Mike Wenden took the gold medal at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
"It means a lot to me and it means a lot to Australian swimming as well," Magnussen told reporters. "It will put my name in the spotlights for the London 2012 Olympics (but) I quite enjoy the pressure, the big crowd and the big events."
Magnussen was fifth when they turned for home, with 2009 world champion Cesar Cielo of Brazil in the lead.
The finishing speed of the tall Australian, which has been evident throughout the championships, then kicked into gear again and he motored home.
"My advantage over the other guys is in the second 50, being able to hang in there," added Magnussen. "I was just concentrating in getting to the end. I know I was drawing close to Cesar and the confirmation to me was when I looked up and it said number one. It felt great."
Magnussen announced himself on the world stage when he blasted off the blocks to give Australia an explosive start to the relay on Monday. His lead-off swim of 47.49 seconds not only propelled the team to its first 4x100 freestyle gold at the worlds since 2001 but also upset the heavily favoured French high-speed machine and the American quartet.
Magnussen clocked 47.63 seconds to claim the gold medal ahead of Canadian Brent Hayden (47.95) and William Meynard of France (48.00).
The win by the 20-year-old represented Australia's first men's 100 freestyle title since the world championships started in 1973. Additionally, no Australian male has won the blue riband event at a global competition since Mike Wenden took the gold medal at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
"It means a lot to me and it means a lot to Australian swimming as well," Magnussen told reporters. "It will put my name in the spotlights for the London 2012 Olympics (but) I quite enjoy the pressure, the big crowd and the big events."
Magnussen was fifth when they turned for home, with 2009 world champion Cesar Cielo of Brazil in the lead.
The finishing speed of the tall Australian, which has been evident throughout the championships, then kicked into gear again and he motored home.
"My advantage over the other guys is in the second 50, being able to hang in there," added Magnussen. "I was just concentrating in getting to the end. I know I was drawing close to Cesar and the confirmation to me was when I looked up and it said number one. It felt great."
Magnussen announced himself on the world stage when he blasted off the blocks to give Australia an explosive start to the relay on Monday. His lead-off swim of 47.49 seconds not only propelled the team to its first 4x100 freestyle gold at the worlds since 2001 but also upset the heavily favoured French high-speed machine and the American quartet.
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