Speedo Eastern Canadian Championships: Zsofi Balazs Shines

GATINEAU, Quebec, February 16. ZSOFI Balazs of Toronto is firmly established as one of Canada's top female open water swimmers but she showed she's talented in the pool as well after winning the women's 1,500-metre freestyle on Thursday to open the Speedo Eastern Canadian Championships in Gatineau.

Balazs clocked 16 minutes and 46.66 seconds for the win in the 16 and over age group with Esther Haines of Brampton, Ont., second in 16:50.88 and Olivia Feschuk of Halifax third in 17:09.43.

The main priority for Balazs this season is to qualify for the Olympics in the 10 kilometre open water race later this spring. But don't be surprised to see her in the women's 800 freestyle pool event in London as well.

‘'I'm keeping my options open to race in the pool at the Olympics,'' said Balazs. ‘But I won't be super disappointed if I fall short. It's a world of difference between the two events. I was really surprised with how well I swam today after just completing two open water World Cup races.''

It was also big day for the Abdel-Khalik family from Etobicoke, Ont. Esraa Abdel-Khalik won the women's 1,500 freestyle in the 15 and under division while Aly Abdel-Khalik took the men's 800 freestyle in the 17 and over event.

In the men's 800 freestyle in the 15 and under age group, Teddy Kalp of North York, Ont., won the gold medal for his first career Eastern Canadian crown. He clocked 8:00.11 with his clubmate Alexander Hamilton of North York second and Tristan Cote of Etobicoke, Ont., third.

‘'I felt it was one of my best performances,'' said Kalp, a member of Canada's youth team. ‘'I dove in and tried to keep up with the leaders then at the 400-metre mark I turned on the jets. When I saw my teammates cheering Alex and I, it fired me up me on even more.''

Competition continues through to Sunday with the preliminary sessions at 9am and finals at 6pm local.

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