Sun Yang retains 800m world title
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E-mail China.org.cn, August 1, 2013
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Sun Yang of China reacts after winning the men's 800m freestyle final of the swimming competition at the 15th FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain on July 31, 2013. |
Double Olympic champion Sun Yang secured his second gold medal at the 15th FINA World Championships, waiting till the end to cut loose and claim the 800m freestyle title.
Sun, who already won the 400m freestyle world crown and will seek to make it a golden treble in the 1500m, did just enough to remain slightly ahead of his rivals for most of the race. He was content to stay less than a second in front for 700 metres before pulling away in the last 100 metres to win in 7:41.36, with his three closest competitors - two Americans and a Canadian - fighting it out for the two remaining medals.
Silver went to Michael McBroom (USA), who came through in the second half of the race and finished in 7:43.60. Ryan Cochrane (CAN) won the battle for bronze, touching in 7:43.70 ahead of the second American, Connor Jaeger, who clocked 7:44.26.
"I changed my mind right before the deadline to apply for the swimming events, I wanted to prove myself in this race, I felt I had the power to defend this title for my country, I wanted this title to remain in Chinese hands," said the 21-year-old, who cried on the podium.
"That's the way I express myself. No matter if I win or lose, I always get very emotional."
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