Adlington seals historic gold in Shanghai

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30 July 2011

Double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington won an historic gold on the penultimate day of the World Championships in Shanghai, snatching a breathtaking victory in the 800m Freestyle.

The 22-year old was neck and neck with Denmark’s defending champion Lotte Friis for almost the entire race before kicking clear in the final 25m to win in 8:17.15 – the ninth fastest time in history.

I'm so happy to have won a World Championship gold medal - this is why I get up at five in the morning. It makes it all worth it.

Friis eventually came home in 8:18.20 with USA’s Kate Ziegler – world champion in 2005 and 2007 – picking up bronze in 8:23.36.

But there was no keeping Adlington from rising to the top of the World Championship podium for the first time and become Great Britain’s first ever freestyle world champion in the pool.

And having missed out on the medals in her signature event at the 2007 and 2009 World Championships, the world record holder admitted victory had been a long time coming.

“I’m so happy to have won a World Championship gold medal,” said Adlington, who also scooped 400m Freestyle silver on day one Shanghai.

“The last two Worlds didn’t go right for me so I’m just really pleased with this win.

“This is why I get up at five in the morning and makes it all worth it. I couldn’t ask for a better support team and I’m such a lucky girl.

“It was such a tough race – Lotte is an amazing swimmer. It felt a bit quicker than the heats going out so I wasn’t sure I’d have anything left going back.

“I just told myself I’ve got two weeks holiday after that so I don’t care if I’m aching – it will be worth it.”

Lizzie Simmonds improved her qualifying time to finish seventh in the 200m Backstroke

I'm really looking forward to next year now - I'll have a little break then it will be all for next year.

The 20-year old, who also finished seventh in the 100m Backstroke in Shanghai, eventually touched in 2:08.76 but in a tight final was less than a second off the podium places.

USA’s Melissa Franklin ultimately won gold in 2:05.10 ahead of Australia’s Belinda Hocking (2:06.06) and the Netherlands’ Sharon Van Rouwendaal (2:07.78).

And having also reached the World Championship final in 2007 and 2009, the European champion insisted her 2011 campaign has left her hungry to make the step up to the podium at London 2012.

“I wanted to get in the race and not hold anything back and that’s what I did,” said Simmonds. “I’m really looking forward to next year now – I’ll have a little break and then it will be all for next year.

“I didn’t feel great this morning and was trying to conserve as much energy as possible for tonight.

“I didn’t quite have it in the end and I’m disappointed because my best time would have been right up there but putting it in perspective it’s great experience for next year.”

The women's 4x100m Medley Relay quartet were the only other British finallists in action in Shanghai, having secured a spot at London 2012 in qualifying for the final.

The quartet of Georgia Davies, Stacey Tadd, Ellen Gandy and Fran Halsall clocked a time of 4:01.09 to finish sixth overall.

"That was pretty hard but a lot of fun," said Gandy, who won 200m Butterfly silver two days ago in China.

"We all did our best so we can't really be too disappointed with that."

Halsall had a quick turnaround to compete in the final, having booked her place in the 50m Freestyle less than an hour beforehand in Shanghai.

It's anyone's game - I'll try to stick to Therese Alshammar at the start then bring it home.

The British Gas ITC Loughborough swimmer, who finished fourth in the 100m Freestyle, progressed fifth fastest in a season's best 24.80 and admitted she was looking forward to taking another shot at the medals in Shanghai.

"I'm really excited for the 50 Free final," said Halsall. "It just comes down to who can get out there first.

"It's anyone's game really. I'm swimming in the lane next to Therese (Alshammar) who I consider to be the best in the world so I'll try and stick to her at the start then bring it home."

Defending champion and world record holder Liam Tancock clocked the fastest time in qualifying for the 50m Backstroke final.

If someone's got a lane in the final, they can win, so I'm really looking forward to tomorrow night.

The 26-year old, who finished sixth in the 100m Backstroke, dominated his heat to win in a season’s best 24.62.

And despite progressing 0.23 seconds ahead of second-fastest qualifier Camille Lacourt, Tancock insisted he would approach the final the same mentality as if he had squeezed through in eighth.

“I’m really pleased with that swim,” said Tancock – who will aim for a fourth consecutive medal in the event tomorrow night.

“It was all about getting in the race and putting myself in contention for the final tomorrow.

“We’ve seen at these Championships anything can happen. If someone’s got a lane in the final, they can win so I’m really looking forward to tomorrow night now.

“I don’t mind whether I’m out in front or chasing, I’m just going to swim my own race. What other people do really doesn’t matter to me.”

Kate Haywood finished ninth in the 50m Breaststroke, missing out on a final spot by just 0.02 seconds in China.

The 24-year old, who won European silver and Commonwealth bronze in the same event last season, touched fifth in her semi final in 31.43 but lost out as Sweden’s Rebecca Ejdervik snatched the last final spot in 31.41.

But while Haywood admits a poor finish cost her a final berth, she insists she’s encouraged by her progress since changing her stroke at the start of the season.

“I’m disappointed as I messed up my finish and that’s the difference with missing out on the final,” said Haywood.

“I’ve changed many things this year as I’m now living in Australia training with (Australia’s Olympic breaststroke champion) Leisel Jones.

“My coach has altered my stroke and I’m still getting to grips with it but my aim is next year and I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made."

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5

7.43pm 31st July 2011
Jonathan Hill from South Derbyshire

Well done Beckie
4

7.40pm 31st July 2011
Jonathan Hill from South Derbyshire

Well Beckie
3

3.43pm 31st July 2011
Charlotte from Lancashire

Congratulatiions Beckie, I missed the race as I was at work. Does anyone know if and how I can see it?
2

9.19pm 30th July 2011
Steve Hill from Tottenham

Great race, great tactics and great finish . What a swimmer! Well done Becky; Steve Hill Tottenham
1

1.29pm 30th July 2011
Christine McCabe from Bradford

Congratulations Beckie, wish I could have been there with you all but amazing to watch on TV. !