Chad le Clos 200 Butterfly Worlds Win – Post Race Interview

Men’s 200 Butterfly – FINALS – 2013 FINA World Championships reported by swimswam / Braden Keith: 

Another Olympic Champion at this meet who has rolled into a World Championship: South Africa’s Chad le Clos began a South African medal run on Wednesday by winning the men’s 200 fly in 1:54.32. That time shows just how different this 200 fly is last year than this year: le Clos is the only swimmer from last year’s Olympic top 4 to make the final this year, and his winning time from Barcelona would not have medaled in London.

As it is, though, he did all he needed to do to complete his medal case in this event: he was the winner of the Short Course World Championship in 2010 and 2012, the Commonwealth Games in 2010, the Olympic Games in 2012, the All-Africa Games in 2011, and now has a World Championship from 2013 as well. The only little chip is one he can’t get back: in 2010, at the Youth Olympics, he earned only silver, behind Hungary’s Bence Biczo.

Poland’s Pawel Korzeniowski, the 2005 World Champion in this event, led about half of this race, but wound up 2nd in 1:55.01 when le Clos had a great finish. China’s Wu Peng was 3rd in 1:55.09, followed by his countrymate Yin Chen in 1:55.47.

The top-finishing American was Tom Luchsinger in 1:55.70 for 5th place, which comes up just short of the time that won him the National Title in the U.S. this year. Russia’s Nikolay Skvortsvo was 6th in 1:56.02, followed by Tyler Clary (1:56.34) and Leonardo de Deus (1;56.44).

Full men’s 200 fly finals results available here.

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swimfan101
11 years ago

QUOTE: he was the winner of the Short Course World Championship in 2010 and 2012

Didn’t he scratch the 200 fly in the 2012 SC because of his shoulder issue? I believe he won gold in 2012 SC, but for the 100 fly and a silver for the 50 fly but he didn’t swim the 200 fly.

Super Man
11 years ago

I hope they will interview the 2nd and 3rd place finishers next time, instead of just the winner.

dude
11 years ago

dude is too great of a swimmer to wear his goggles around his neck.

Liliana
11 years ago

I love this kid, but that 200 fly was hideous to watch. He was slow, nervous and insecure, so much that he had to check multiple times where his opponents are. I expected a self confident, elegant swim worth of an Olympic champion, “the Phelps slayer”, and I got a scared kid. And he won. Enough said.

MCMFLYGUY
Reply to  Liliana
11 years ago

REALLY? not every world champ is arrogant and conceeded thinking they are the best and cant be beaten. I think its refreshing to see “the phelps slayer” scared, nervous, and a little worried. Because he should be! someone is always coming after you. doesnt matter what the race looked like if he won.

Liliana
Reply to  MCMFLYGUY
11 years ago

I guess you’re easily amused…pardon me for expecting some excellence from an Olympic champion.

CB
Reply to  Liliana
11 years ago

I agree it was not elegant, but he explained in a BBC interview that looking around is a habit he’s had since a youngster and it’s his way of gauging the race, in his words ” not a good example for age groupers”. Although I wouldn’t say it looked nervous could almost be said it appeared that he had complete control of the outcome, lets see the 100 now!

underwater
Reply to  Liliana
11 years ago

I like him too, but I have to agree his habit of looking around when he is racing is a bit annoying. I mean you beat the greatest swimmer in the world on his pet race. I hope he learns how to control that as it might cost him some races in the future. Anyways, the 100 fly will be more exciting as he will probably need to do more on the race.

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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