US nets their Third Gold in a Photo Finish
Brendan Hansen of the US was in a water war with his mortal enemy - Japan’s Kosuke Kitajima in the 100 meter breaststroke. It was essentially a two man race, with The American barely edging out his Japanese rival this time out.
It was a little bit of a different story at the 2004 Athens Olympics, with Kitajima grabbing Olympic Gold just ahead of Hansen. Though Hansen holds the world record in the 100 meter breaststroke, it was Kitajima who took gold across the board in the breaststroke events with Hansen placing second in the 100 and third in the two-hundred.
Hansen reportedly wasn’t extatic with his time of 59.80, he was happy with the win and will undoubtedly use this victory at the Worlds as a springboard for the Olympics in Beijing.
The Americans also struck gold in the individual medley when 17 year old Katie Hoff defended her title and in the process scored the fourth fastest time in the events history .
The US still has Michael Phelps competing in the finals 200 meter freestyle finals, which will most likely end up in a metal of some variety, but all in all the Worlds have been dominated thus far by the Russians with 11 Golds and nineteen overall medals, and the Chinese with 9 gold and fourteen overall medals. The US sits currently in third with 3 golds and 9 overall.
With Beijing lurking on the horizon in the not too distant future, lets hope the Americans can use the these events as a learning experience and spend the time that’s left to get themselves into gear to be able to compete with the big boys and enjoy more time on the Olympic podium than they are on the Worlds podium.
Michael Phelps, Brendan Hansen, Swimming World Championships, 100 m breaststroke, individual Medley, Katie Hoff
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