Australian Long Course Championships: Belinda Hocking Charts World Best, Emily Seebohm Encounters Health Issues, Leisel Jones Lightning Fast

SYDNEY, Australia, April 3. STRONG storylines came out of nearly every race during the third day of action at the Australian Long Course Championships.

Belinda Hocking vaulted to the top of the world rankings in the women's 100 back with a 59.55. That swim cleared the 59.56 previously clocked by Missy Franklin, and is one of three sub-1:00 efforts this year as Aya Terakawa posted a 59.91 in February. Emily Seebohm placed second in 1:00.08, but collapsed soon after her swim according to Swimming Australia"

Seebohm, who has had a disrupted preparation due to a bout of swine flu a month ago, collapsed and had to receive medical treatment after the race, but recovered to accept her medal less than an hour later.

"The last thing I remember is walking down and turning the corner and then I woke up on oxygen and in a wheelchair," Seebohm said."I think the first thing I said was can I get up and go and get my medal now. I really wanted to get up there and tell Belinda she did a great job."

Meagan Ney rounded out the top three in the women's 100 back with a 1:00.51.

Leisel Jones nearly became just the second woman under 1:06 this year with a triumphant 1:06.18 in the women's 100 breast. Only Rebecca Soni has been faster with a 1:05.89 from February. Sarah Katsoulis placed second in 1:07.24 to move to fifth in the rankings, while Leiston Pickett posted a 1:07.32 after qualifying first in 1:06.92 to be just the third swimmer under 1:07 this year.

Thomas Fraser-Holmes nabbed the men's 200 free title in 1:47.19, jumping up to fourth in the world rankings. Only Yannick Agnel (1:45.47), Michael Phelps (1:46.27) and Ous Mellouli (1:47.01) have been faster. Kenrick Monk (1:47.53) and Ryan Napoleon (1:47.68) finished second and third as both moved into the top 10 in the world rankings.

Ben Treffers also posted a fourth-ranked effort with a winning time of 53.72 in the men's 100 back. Camille Lacourt (52.44), Liam Tancock (53.44) and Jeremy Stravius (53.59) are the only men faster this year. Hayden Stoeckel took second in 53.87 to take fifth in the rankings, while Ashley Delaney rounded out the top three in 54.17 for 11th in the rankings.

Melissa Gorman captured the women's 1500 free title in 16:06.98, while Jessica Ashwood finished second in 16:14.47. Bonnie MacDonald completed the podium with a third-place 16:16.58.

In semifinal action, Christian Sprenger paced the men's 50 breast in 28.33, while Angie Bainbridge posted a fourth-ranked time of 1:57.43 to lead the way in the women's 200 free. Bronte Barratt (1:57.54), Kylie Palmer (1:57.56), Jade Neilsen (1:57.66) and Alicia Coutts (1:57.99) all cleared 1:58 to set up a strong 200 free finale.

Travis Nederpelt topped the men's 200 fly semis in 1:57.45, while Jayden Hadley qualified second in 1:57.48.

In multi-disability events, Mitch Kilduff was listed first in the men's 50 fly with a 27.16, while Madeleine Scott was listed first in the women's 50 fly in 32.31. Brenden Hall was listed first in the men's 400 free with a 4:16.81.

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