Sharp sets new world record / Holt smashes NZ record by 6 secs
Sharp sets new world record / Holt smashes NZ record by 6 secs
North Shore’s Daniel Holt, Daniel Sharp (Hamilton) and Mary Fisher (Wellington) were outstanding performers in the pool as they scooped up three gold, five silver and three bronze medals in the IBSA World Championships which finished 10 April.
Sharp improved his own world record in the Men’s SB13 50m Breaststroke 30.87 secs, improving the record he set back in 2008 by 0.5 secs. Second placed Russian Mikhail Zimin was also under the world record. Sharp also won the Men’s 100m Breaststroke; silver in the Men’s 200m Breaststroke (2:36.80) and Men’s 50m Freestyle (25.21secs); and bronze in the Men’s 100m Freestyle (56.55 secs).
Holt’s performance in the 200m event was particularly exciting, with Holt coming from behind to win. He swam in third place behind two Russians for the majority of the race. Holt closed the gap at the final turn and increased his pace – at 25 metres to go Holt broke into the lead, finishing with a personal best of 2:02:43. This time smashed his existing New Zealand record by a full six seconds and set a new Oceanic record – he was just 0.22 secs outside the world record. His father Phil Holt (printdigital.co.nz) said that he was “…surprised and delighted, particularly since this wasn’t his specialty event.” Holt’s also won two silver medals – in men’s 400m freestyle (4:23.55) and the men’s 200m individual medley (2:31.59).
Completing the 11 medal haul was Mary Fisher of Wellington with silver in the 200 m freestyle and two bronze medals (100m Fly and 50m Backstroke). Fisher posted a string of personal bests, a credit to her new coach and venue.
Full details are a bit sketchy as communications have been poor – no doubt we’ll get the full picture when the team arrives back in New Zealand on Wednesday 13 March.
