Sarah Sjostrom Tops Olympic Gold Medalist Blume in 50 Free Prelims

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Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

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Women’s 50 Free

The morning after Simone Manuel ran her down to win the World title in the women’s 100 free, Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom took down Manuel head-to-head in the prelims of the 50 free.

Sjostrom won the heat in 24.08, easily the top qualifying time but still short of her world-leading time of 23.83. Manuel, of the United States, finished second in the heat at 24.54 and fourth overall to advance to the semis.

Denmark’s Pernille Blume, who edged out Manuel for Olympic gold last summer and took bronze in the 100 free, qualified second in 24.32, and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Ranomi Kromowidjojo took third for the Netherlands in 24.53. Australia’s Bronte Campbell, the 2015 World Champion, qualified fifth in 24.61.

Canada’s Michelle Toro ended up sixth with her time of 24.64, followed by China’s Zhu Menghui (24.64), France’s Anna Santamans (24.71) and a tie between Egypt’s Farida Osman and China’s Liu Xiang at 24.78. Osman’s time stands as a new African record.

Belarus’ Aliaksandra Herasimenia (24.82), Australia’s Shayna Jack (24.85), the USA’s Abbey Weitzeil (24.92), the Netherlands’ Tamara Van Vliet (24.94), Canada’s Sandrine Mainville (24.99) and Japan’s Rikako Ikee (25.04) all made the semi-finals.

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