BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Hungarian swimming superstar Katinka Hosszu yesterday smashed two more world records to wind up her Doha trip with an overall haul of seven gold medals and an astonishing sum of $42,500 in prize money at the opening leg of the 2014 FINA World Cup series.
The 25-year-old, who picked up four gold medals on Wednesday, broke her own record in the women’s 400m individual medley by shaving off 200th of a second yesterday.
By virtue of her win yesterday, Hosszu picked up another paycheck of $10,000 for breaking the world record, her third in two days.
Not the one to waste confidence-boosting rhythm in the pool, Hosszu retained her impressive form to top the seven-swimmer 400m field ahead of second-placed Mireia Belmonte Garcia and Caitlin Leverenz with a time of 4:20.83.
Belmote Garcia clocked 4:25.85 while Leverenz settled with a time of 4:39.59.
“I’ve had a great start in Doha. I feel unstoppable, it has given me a confidence rush. I hope I can go faster,” Hosszu said after another day of medals and high praise from a huge crowd at Hamad Aquatic Centre.
On day one on Wednesday, Hosszu picked up four gold medals to go along with a bronze.
For Hosszu, yesterday’s successes included the gold medals in the 100m and 400m individual medley, 100m backstroke, silver in the 200m butterfly and bronze in the 50m butterfly.
Hosszu won the 100m IM with a time of 57.34secs which was slower than the world best mark she set in the heats (57.25) in the morning session yesterday.
Dutch swimmer Inge Dekker also sparkled in the pool, winning two gold medals (100m freestyle and 50m butterfly) while Olympic champion and South African star Chad le Clos could muster only one win (men’s 100m butterfly).
Le Clos won the 100m butterfly race but missed the world record (and the $10,000 check) by just a couple tenths of a second.
“I wanted to try for the world record, but it was really hard. I’ll try it in Dubai,” Le Clos said after the 100m butterfly race yesterday.
“With big races like this, it’s about getting results and points. This is a great venue and I look forward to competing here in December,” the tall South African added.
Spanish star Belmonte Garcia also enjoyed a fine outing yesterday, grabbing two gold medals (women’s 200m butterfly and the 400m freestyle).
Hosszu will now be heading to the UAE - for the second stop of the World Cup series - with satisfaction writ large on her face knowing she managed three world records and 10 podium presences in Doha, including seven gold medals.
The winner of the 2012 and 2013 editions of the World Cup will be aiming for a hat-trick of titles. Hosszu is the comfortable leader of the overall ranking with 189 points.
By virtue of her world record smashing form, Hosszu emerged as a runaway leader in terms of money also.
Thanks to her three world records (worth $10,000 each) over the two days - Hosszu also created history in one of the heats on Wednesday - the Hungarian pocketed a handsome overall tally of $42,500 in just two days.
In the men’s competitions, Australia’s Thomas Fraser-Holmes - who posted two wins yesterday (200m freestyle and 200m individual medley) - picked up cash totalling $6,000. South Africa’s London Games hero Le Clos managed a sum of $4,500 over two days.
Dekker earned $6,000 with four wins as did Fraser-Holmes.
Each event gives prize money to the top three, $1,500 to the winner, $1,000 to the swimmer who finishes second and $500 to third. The world record bonus is worth $10,000.
“The World Cup is a great opportunity for swimmers to make money and compete at the same time. Athletes get forgotten between the Olympics and the World Cup is a great opportunity to keep competing,” Hosszu said after her two-day performances in Doha.
“A lot of people ask me if I’m afraid of burning out but I’m OK. As long as I like what I do, I’ll keep doing it.
“That’s all that matters,” she added.
THE PENINSULA
