Chad has hopes of redemption
LE CLOS: I’M PROBABLY ONLY FOURTH AS IT STANDS NOW
Wesley Bo on
Chad le Clos admits he is not the favourite in his specialist butterfly stroke this week, as he goes in search of redemption after a relatively disappointing Olympic campaign in Rio last year.
Though he bagged two silver medals at the Games – in the 100m butterfly and 200m freestyle – he settled for fourth place in the 200m butterfly contest, after being tipped to usurp American legend Michael Phelps from his dominant position at the pinnacle of the sport.
Returning to the pool at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest yesterday, Le Clos coasted through the 200m butterfly heats but settled for third place in his race, qualifying fifth fastest for the semifinals to be held late last night.
He touched the wall in 1:55.90, while defending champion Laszlo Cseh of Hungary was quickest in the heats, covering the fourlength race in 1:54.08.
“It’s going to be tough,” Le Clos told
“I said a few months ago it’ll be like a lion’s den here, but I’m a fighter. I don’t like to lose.
“I’m not afraid of anybody and I wish them all the best. Laszlo and (Tamas) Kenderesi are both good friends and they’re the favourites.
“I’m probably only fourth as it stands now.”
Meanwhile, Cameron van der Burgh broke his own South African record to finish second fastest in the 50m breaststroke heats in 26.54 seconds.
A five-time medallist in the sprint event, Van der Burgh clipped 0.06 off his national mark which was set at the previous edition of the showpiece in Kazan.
British swimmer Adam Peaty, the favourite for the title, touched the wall in 26.10 to smash his own world best.
Five swimmers set national records in the heats, setting up an enticing battle in the semifinals, which were also set to be held in the evening session.