Katinka Hosszu Soars Ahead Of 200 Back Semi-Finals Field

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Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

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Women’s 200 Back Semi-Finals:

The “Iron Lady” of Hungary, Katinka Hosszu, continued on her route to a fourth Olympic medal with a dominating swim in semi-finals of the 200 back. Hosszu shot off to an immediate lead in heat two of the semi-finals to show that she meant business, turning in the only sub-30 second first 50 for both heats. Hosszu continued to extend her lead, finishing the race with a time of 2:06.03.

Canada’s Hilary Caldwell topped heat one of the semi-finals with a 2:07.17 to return as the second place seed for tomorrow night’s final.

The field narrowed from there with the USA’s Maya DiRado and China’s Liu Yaxin turning in very similar times. DiRado posted a 2:07.53 from heat two for third, while Liu was a 2:07.56 in heat one.

Australia’s Belinda Hocking picked up the fifth place seed with a 2:07.83.

South Africa’s Kirsty Coventry, gold medalist in the 200 back in both 2004 and 2008, will get another shot at an Olympic medal with her sixth place seed of 2:08.83.

Israel’s Eyglo Gustafsdottir and Russia’s Daria Ustinova posted matching times of 2:08.84 to complete the qualifying heat.

Reigning Olympic champion and World Record holder, Missy Franklin, finished fourteenth overall with a 2:09.74.

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Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

When asked about teammate and Olympic champion Franklin not making the final heat and their close embrace in the water, DiRado expressed, “I just wanted her to know now how much the team loves her. It doesn’t matter that she didn’t make the final because she’s an amazing teammate. I can give her no higher complement than, you would never know how she’s swimming based on how she’s interacting with the team. That’s the sign of a true champion and a true leader.”

Full finals results can be found here.

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