World Championships: Silver Turns to Gold for Margaret Hoelzer in 200 Backstroke

By John Lohn

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 31. SHE was the bridesmaid the past two World Championships, grabbing silver medals in the 200 backstroke. This time around, Margaret Hoelzer got married. Setting her second American record in as many days, the Auburn University product turned in history's third-fastest time, an effort of 2:07.16.

Hoelzer's time bettered the 2:07.70 she produced in the semifinals and pulled her within striking distance of the world record of Hungary's Krisztina Egerszegi, which has stood at 2:07.16 since 1991. Hoelzer needed another American mark, due to the presence of defending champion Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe. Coventry went under 2:08 for the third straight round and touched in 2:07.54.

"I've been on a bit of a plateau," Hoelzer said. "I'm so excited to get a best time and get off of it. (Egerszegi) was such an amazing swimmer and to be even spoken about in the same sentence is a real honor. Everyone else has been doing so well, I had to keep it up."

The bronze medal was picked up by Japan's Reiko Nakamura in 2:08.54, ahead of the 2:09.59 turned in by France's Esther Baron. Japan also grabbed fifth with Hanae Ito (2:10.57) and sixth place was taken by Hungary's Nikolett Szepesi in 2:10.66. Great Britain's Elizabeth Simmonds (2:11.09) and Italy's Alessia Filippi (2:11.41) were seventh and eighth.

Click Here to view event results PDF file.

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