World Championships: Championship Record in 100 Breaststroke Hands Gold to Leisel Jones

By John Lohn

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 27. OVER the past few years, Australia's Leisel Jones has certainly separated herself from the competition in the 100 breaststroke, evident by the fact that she has the five-fastest times ever recorded. But, tonight, she needed every ounce of her ability to fend off a serious challenge by American Tara Kirk.

With Kirk on her hip on the final lap, Jones won her second consecutive crown in the event with a championship-record time of 1:05.72, the fourth-fastest in history. Jones is the only woman to go under 1:06, but Kirk might be getting close to pulling off that feat. Pushing the American record of Jessica Hardy, a 1:06.20, Kirk stopped the clock in 1:06.34, a personal best.

Kirk held the lead for the first 35 to 40 meters, until Jones picked up the pace and made the turn at the 50-meter mark in 30.70. Kirk, meanwhile, was at 30.86. But, instead of letting Jones pull away to a dominating win, Kirk battled admirably to the wall. The bronze medal was collected by the Ukraine's Anna Khlistunova with a time of 1:07.27. Hardy was fourth in 1:07.38.

"I'm starting to learn more about myself," Jones said. "It's getting exciting and more of a challenge. Getting up there and winning is something that is close to my heart. I saw (Kirk) out of the corner of my eye and knew we must be going pretty quick."

Click Here to view event results PDF file.

Check back for an updated story on this event as our team of Senior Writer John Lohn and CEO Brent Rutemiller, on the scene at Rod Laver Arena, provide in-depth coverage, along with radio and TV segments.

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