NST Online: Sports
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| Biedermann, Britta lead Europe's charge Posted: 13 Jul 2011 09:58 AM PDT PARIS: Germany's Paul Biedermann and Britta Steffen will lead Europe's challenge at the World Championships alongside a talented French contingent. Biedermann, 24, claimed the 200m and 400m freestyle double in Rome two years ago in world record times, while Britta also claimed a record-breaking double over the 50m and 100m freestyle. Both, however, could be hard-pressed to repeat those heroics as Britta struggled last year with sinus problems which she will hope are now behind her as she prepares for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Biedermann won the 200m at the European long-course championships last year but lost the 400m to Yannick Agnel as the French topped the medals table with a record haul including double gold for sprinter Frederick Bousquet. The French swimmers will be hopeful of making a similar splash in Shanghai.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport is hoping to reach a decision on Cielo's case before the Shanghai meet. Bousquet has never beaten the South American over the distance but this year clocked his top time 21.78s, the second best time of 2011 behind Cielo (21.66).
Hungary's Laszlo Cseh will be looking to make up for the disappointment two years ago when sickness prevented him performing his best in the 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley. Britain, meanwhile, are looking to lay the groundwork for London 2012, with a team including 400m and 800m Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington. In the 400m, Rebecca will be bidding to topple Italy's Federica Pelligrini, who is also the defending champion over 200m and world record holder over both distances. Women's world 100m backstroke champion Gemma Spofforth and men's 50m backstroke title-holder Liam Tancock are also among the British team. "These World Championships have added importance as they provide a qualification opportunity for the relays for the London 2012 Olympics," said British national performance director Michael Scott. "Any World Championships is an important event and marker but the one prior to an Olympic year is a key measure that gives us a strong indication of where we are." Swedish veteran Therese Alshammar will be competing in the women's 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly as Denmark's Lotte Friis will be looking to add to her 800m and 1500m double at the Europeans. Russia's Yuliya Efimova is targeting the 50m and 100m breaststroke double, while the Russian men are traditionally strong in the relays. -- AFP Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| Syafiq and Jacqueline best among Asians Posted: 13 Jul 2011 09:58 AM PDT SYAFIQ Ridhwan and newly promoted elite bowler Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore are the highest ranked Asians on the European Bowling Tour (EBT) men's and women's ranking lists respectively. Syafiq, who finished second in the World Tour's Brunswick Euro Challenge in March and 12th in the recent San Marino Open, is ranked eighth among the men with 310 points. Former Ankara Open champion Adrian Ang is 14th with 225 points while newly crowned San Marino Open winner Alex Liew is 25th on 150.
In the women's ranking list, Jacqueline, a former Malaysia Games champion, is 13th with 255 points from two events. The youngster turned on a commendable performance to finish 13th in San Marino. Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi is the second highest ranked Malaysian with 177 points ahead of Esther Cheah (26th -- 150) and Siti Shazwani Ahmad Suhaimi (37th -- 105).
"Our senior and junior bowlers are making steady progress in Europe. This is a good sign for things to come," said team manager Cheah Ban Cheng yesterday. "But doing well in Europe will not mean anything if they fail in upcoming tournaments. They need to be consistent ahead of the Women's World Championships and the Indonesia Sea Games." On Liew's victory in San Marino, Ban Cheng said the veteran is hungry for more. The 10-member Malaysian squad were due to start their campaign in the City of Barcelona Trophy late yesterday. -- AJITPAL SINGH |
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