Swimmers shine in swimming events: Santa Clara International Grand Prix – Part 3
After the scintillating efforts of Caitlin Leverenz in the Women’s 200m breaststroke, the crowd was eager to see what happens in the Men’s equivalent event.
The second day of the 2012 Santa Clara International Grand Prix continued to conclude the playoffs of all listed events.
Fourth event of the session was Men’s 200m breaststroke, where the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist and Japanese veteran, Kosuke Kitajima demonstrated his astonishing efforts in the discipline and snared gold medal of the event.
With his impeccable pace, Kitajima remained comfortably ahead of his opponents and hit the finishing blockade with the timing of 2 minutes and 13.24 seconds.
His gold winning effort remained nearly six seconds slower from the world mark of 2 minutes and 07.31 seconds, made by Christian Sprenger of Australia in 2009.
He was also considerably slower from the American record of 2 minutes and 07.42 seconds, made by Eric Shanteua of USA during 2009 Rome World Championships. Similarly, his effort was almost five seconds behind the US Open record of 2 minutes and 08.01 seconds, which is also owned by Shanteua.
The gold medallist remained full body length faster from his following swimmer, Scott W Weltz of Marin Pirates-PC, who accomplished silver medal of the discipline by reporting a time of 2 minutes and 14.27 seconds.
Third position of the discipline was secured by Christian Schurr Voigt of Mexico, who remained only a touch slower and tapped the wall with the timing of 2 minutes and 14.35 seconds for bronze medal.
Following that, the crowd witnessed an impeccable effort of Chelsea A Chenault of Terrapins Swim Team, who secured the crown of Women’s 400m freestyle.
The 17-year-old Chenault dictated terms to her challengers and made her way to the finishing blockade with the timing of 4 minutes and 08.95 seconds.
Her unbeatable effort remained nearly nine seconds behind the world record of 3 minutes and 59.15 seconds, made by Federica Pellergrine of Italy in 2009.
She was also slower from the American and US Open marks of 4 minutes and 02.20 seconds, set by Katie Hoff of North Baltimore in 2008.
The gold medallist remained nearly one and a half body length ahead of her following rival, New Zealand’s Lauren Boyle, who proved her mettle for second position of the event by touching the wall with the timing of 4 minutes and 10.34 seconds.
The silver medallist was trailed by Andreina D Pinto of Gator Swim Club, who stayed 2.01 seconds apart and posted a time of 4 minutes and 12.35 seconds for bronze medal.
Subsequently, Olympic champion, Park Tae Hwan of Korea astonished the crowd by claiming gold medal of Men’s 400m freestyle.
The 22-year-old Tae Hwan lived up to the expectations of his supporters as he snared gold medal of the event with the timing of 3 minutes and 44.96 seconds.
The champion was followed by Matthew B McLean of Fast Swim Team-C, who remained almost six seconds apart and posted a time of 3 minutes and 50.86 seconds for silver medal.
Similarly, McLean was traced by Michael P Klueh of Fast Swim Team-C, who stayed nearly 1.50 seconds apart and proved his eligibility for bronze medal of the discipline by producing a nice time of 3 minutes and 52.30 seconds.
To be continued in Part 4.
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