World Championships: Repeat Performance for Leisel Jones in 200 Breaststroke

By John Lohn

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 30. IF there was a no-doubt-about it event on the female program, it was the 200 breaststroke. Why? Australia's Leisel Jones provided the answer tonight by producing the third-fastest time in history. Jones, slightly ahead of the field at the midpoint of the race, pulled away in dominant fashion in the final two laps to win by four-plus seconds.

Jones has changed the landscape of the breaststroke events over the past few years, moving the world records to standards her opposition can only dream about. In winning her second consecutive world title, she set the stage for a sweep of the breast events. Already the winner of the 100 distance, she'll now chase the 50 crown. No athlete, in any event, has ever won the 50 through 200 distances of the same stroke at the World Champs.

"I feel on top of the world," Jones said. "It's exciting to swim in front of such a loud crowd. I'm so excited about the 50. It would be nice to pull it out."

The silver medal was shared by American Megan Jendrick and Great Britain's Kirsty Balfour, as they both touched the wall in 2:25.94. Jendrick was sensational in all three rounds en route to a medal in an event that is her secondary discipline, a scenario that makes her accomplishment even more impressive. Jendrick should light it up in the 100 breast at the Duel in the Pool in Sydney. Fourth place went to South Africa's Suzaan Van Biljon in 2:26.19 and fifth was taken by Luo Nan of China in 2:27.55.

Click Here to view event results PDF file.

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