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With an turnover in the last stroke, Chinese teenager Gao Chang had to
render the world title in women's 50m backstroke to Aussie Giann Rooney.
However, the 18-year-old "slow coach" finally made some achievements under
pressure.
In Montreal, Gao Chang entered the 50m backstro
ke semi-final with the
fastest qualifying time of 28.70. Then she surprisingly clinched the top place
in the semi-final round at 28.31, slicing 0. 17 off the previous championships
record.
"Why could I achieved it?" The shy girl scratched her head then said, "I
didn't really know why I could break the meet record. Maybe because of the
cloudy sky. Besides, they all said that I needed more pressure so as to perform
well."
What's the pressure? Gao finished sixteenth in the 100m backstroke
semi-final round. "It's a blow to me," said Gao.
The Shandong native girl believed that those were the reasons leading to
her success in the 50m semi-final.
In fact, Gao had smashed the Asian record in the one-lap backstroke event
several times and grabbed a silver medal in the event at the short-course World
Championships last year.
Gao is hungry for the accomplishments in major competitions such as the
World Championships and the Olympic Games. However, her unhurried way to handle
affairs is really an obstacle during her training.
"I'm always slower than the other swimmers while starting off," Gao once
said. "Although I have improved a lot, my start is still not fast enough."
Gao's start on Thursday was not bad. Her reaction time ranked fourth among
the eight finalists, then she slightly kept ahead on course. However, a mistake
in the last stroke ruined her performance.
"I'm used to touch the wall with my right hand, so I just added a stroke at
the last moment. If I touched the wall with my left hand, the result might be
different," Gao said.
22-year-old Rooney is more experienced. "I could see the arms of the
Chinese girl who swam beside me. I knew I had to get a good touch on the wall,
then it really came."
With a silver medal hanging on her neck, Gao said she was half happy and
half regretful. "I need to improve my skills of start, turn and final touch."
After all, it was the first time that she took part in the long- course
World Championships. Under pressure, Gao had proved her potential in the pool
with a meet record. In the future, the 1.78-meter "slow coach" is likely to swim
faster.
Source: Xinhua
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