
Sweden's Jennie Johansson was the shock winner of the women's 50m breaststroke gold at the world swimming championships on Sunday.
Johansson clocked 30.05 to win on the wall as Jamaica's Alia Atkinson claimed silver at just 0.06sec back while Russia's Yuliya Efimova, the 100m champion, earned bronze at 0.08.
Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania, the reigning Olympic 100m champion, finished fourth at 0.09 as just 0.15secs separated the first five swimmers.
This is the 27-year-old Johannsson's first world or Olympic title having won silver for the 50 and 100m breaststroke at last year's European championships in Berlin.
"It's the biggest surprise for everyone, it was hard to compete with such strong girls," said Johansson.
"I was the best one today, and I still can't believe it's true."
Atkinson, 26, who swims for Texas AM University in the United States, was delighted with her second medal in Kazan having taken bronze in the 100m final behind Efimova and Meilutyte.
"It's fantastic," said Atkinson. "The last two worlds, I've got ninth in both events, so to come back and medal in both shows how much I am improving."
With the world athletics championships staring in Beijing on August 22, when compatriot and sprint star Usain Bolt will be in action, Atkinson said she was getting column inches back in Jamaica as she tastes success over 50m.
"They are all getting ready for the track and field, but some of the headlines are going my way," she said.
"It's a real confidence booster because I've always been successful in short course, but not long course."
Source: AFP
GMT 18:30 2017 Tuesday ,26 December
FIFA trial: New York jury acquits former Peru soccer bossGMT 13:18 2017 Tuesday ,26 December
Early drama as Sydney to Hobart fleet race to break recordGMT 20:25 2017 Monday ,25 December
Klopp urges Liverpool to focus on Euro ambitionsGMT 18:35 2017 Monday ,25 December
Mutko suspends Russian football role to fight Olympic lifetime banGMT 10:11 2017 Monday ,25 December
Federer, Nadal shine as rivals hobble into 2018GMT 19:22 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Southampton's Austin charged with violent conductGMT 18:02 2017 Sunday ,24 December
'Tongan Bear' Uhila extends Clermont contractGMT 17:07 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Serena Williams to make competitive return in Abu Dhabi next week
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor