World Championships, Day Three Finals: South Africa’s Chad Le Clos Comes From The Clouds to Claim Fourth Gold In the 200 Butterfly

Chad Le Clos
RAISING THE FLAG: South Africa's four-time 200m butterfly World SC champion Chad Le Clos. Photo Courtesy: World Aquatics.

A Special Thanks to Deep Blue Media for providing the images from this meet


Deep Blue Media

World Championships, Day Three Finals: South Africa’s Chad Le Clos Comes From The Clouds to Claim Fourth Gold In the 200 Butterfly

There were tears of joy from South African swimming legend Chad ;e Clos, when he came from the clouds to snatch a record fourth gold medal in the 200m butterfly – 12 years after winning his first title in Dubai in 2010.

Le Clos, the supreme technician, nailed his last four turns to come from behind to snatch his 19th World Short Course Championship in what has been a stellar career for the 30 year-old.

Day 3 Results

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American Trenton Julian went out on world record pace for the first 150 metres, before the field swallowed him up and it was le Clos, with experience to burn who blasted off the last two walls to barnstorm his way to the sweetest of victories in 1:48.27 ahead of former champion and championship record holder Daiya Seto (Japan) in 1:49.22.

With Switzerland’s Noe Ponti just a touch away, claiming the bronze in 1:49.44 with the brave early leader Julian fading to finish seventh in 1:50.94.

“I have no words,” le Clos said. “I am just so grateful that I have my coach behind me. I am coming from such a tough place right now, and I am sorry that I am emotional. To be a world champion is like a dream come true again. It means so much to me and my family. I have been waiting so long for this moment. I have been waiting four years to become world champion again. It comes after defeat after defeat. Tonight I had to fight back against defeat. Thank you to my coach and thank you to my team.”

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