World Championships: Top Spots in 100 Breast Semifinals Go to Tara Kirk and Leisel Jones

By John Lohn

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 26. ALTHOUGH Australian Leisel Jones remains the favorite for tomorrow night's final, the United States' Tara Kirk delivered a statement during the semifinals of the 100 breaststroke. En route to the fastest qualifying time, an effort of 1:06.72, Kirk made it clear that she'll do everything in her power to unseat the world-record holder.

Posting a career-best time, Kirk dipped under the 1:07 mark for the second time in the past five weeks and gathered significant confidence for the championship race. The bronze medalist at the 2005 World Champs, Kirk is looking to better that performance. She split 31.16 at the 50-meter mark. Kirk's other sub-1:07 mark arrived in February at the Missouri Grand Prix.

Qualifying in second, Jones remains the favorite for gold, based on her other-worldly efforts during the past few years. Jones turned in a semifinal time of 1:07.13, a comfortable swim that was well off her world-record standard of 1:05.09. Jones is the only swimmer in history to break the 1:06 barrier and has accomplished the feat on four occasions.

"I had a great time. I was pretty relaxed," Jones said. "I was actually quite surprised. I wasn't puffing at all. I still have a lot left for tomorrow."

Grabbing the third and fourth positions for the final were the Ukraine's Anna Khlistunova (1:07.49) and Great Britain's Kirsty Balfour (1:07.67). The fifth spot was occupied by American Jessica Hardy, the reigning silver medalist in the event. Hardy was timed in 1:07.92 and was followed by Russia's Elena Bogomazova (1:08.04), Aussie Tarnee White (1:08.37) and Britain's Kate Haywood (1:08.49).

Click Here to view event results PDF file.

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