Vote above for your favourite race of the World Swimming Championships. If clicking 'Vote' just isn't enough, make your case for your favourite race in the comment section. If your favourite isn't on the list... the comment section also awaits.
Men's 200m Freestyle - Battle royale between swimming's superpowers. The significance of the race increased as it acted as a baton change between the former owner and newest incumbent of the title 'World's Best Swimmer'.
Women's 800m Freestyle - A definite contender for the head-to-head race of the competition. Rebecca Adlington and Lotte Friis were the clear pre-race favourites, and very little separated the pair for all 800 metres.
Men's 1500m Free - A truly historic race. The only men's world record to survive the tech-suit era went down almost exactly 10 years after it was originally set. Sun Yang broke the record with one of the most incredible final 50 metres you will ever witness.
Women's 200m Backstroke - In years to come this race might be remembered as the first of many, many individual World golds for Missy Franklin. She also came closer than any other woman to breaking an individual WR in Shanghai.
Men's 100m Breaststroke - After the tragedy that hit Norway, Alexander Dale Oen was swimming for more than just himself. A poignant example of an athlete channeling extreme emotions to achieve greatness.
Men's 200m IM - Phelps v Lochte. World Record. Best times for both men. Great, great race.
Women's 200m IM - A lot was expected from this race and it lived up to the hype. We had lead changes, a top three split by just 0.22 seconds and a storming freestyle leg from Ye Shiwen that took her from 5th to first in the space of 29.42 seconds.
Men's 4 x 100m Free Relay - The race started with James Magnussen setting a new textile best time, and ended up with a hard charging Fabien Gilot just falling short of giving France a much sought after win. It also saw a full strength US team finish third, a changing of the guard?
Women's 4 x 100m Free Relay - On paper the pre-race favourites won the race, so why did this race make the list? Well, because for 300m this race was getting away from the Dutch and it took a stunning 52.46 from Femke Heemskerk to overhaul the Americans.
Other - The races above were my personal favourites, but if there is another race you feel deserves to make this list then add it in the comments.
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I loved the women 200 IM, it truly delivered the promise. All top 4 swam PBs, and the winner swam textile WR. It was truly nailbiting towards the end.
ReplyDeleteBut I also loved the men 400 FR because of Magnussen's swim, it was that jaw-dropping to me.
Between the womens 200IM & 800FR for me, i voted 800FR because Adlington bounced back amazingly after a relatively underwhelming week for her (Times), I do wonder what she can do in a meet where everything goes well, Beijing was the last time that happened and she made History. Interesting stat for you, combine her opening & Closing 100s of her 800FR and it is faster than her individual 200FR is Shanghai, thats frightening.
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