Swimming: Singapore’s Tao Li clinches butterfly silver in FINA World Cup

SINGAPORE: The 8th and final leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup 2012 kicked off at the Singapore Sports School on Saturday evening.

Many of the big names are using the two—day event to prepare for the short—course World Championships in Istanbul next month.

In the men’s 50 metres breaststroke, Olympic silver medallist Christian Sprenger was in hot form. The 27—year—old Australian sensation won with a time of 26.69 seconds.

Kiwi Glenn Snyders finished 26.74 seconds, earning him a silver, with the bronze going to Russian Igor Golovin.

In the women’s 100 metre breaststroke race, American specialist Jessica Hardy fought off a challenge from Australian Sarah Katsoulis to clinch gold in 1 minute 5.58 seconds, while Japan’s Rie Kaneto was third.

Keeping the home flag flying was Singapore’s Tao Li in the women’s 100 metre butterfly event.

Denmark’s Jeanette Ottesen won the gold with a time of 57.75 seconds. Tao Li came from behind to take second place with a time of 58.33 seconds, edging out Holland’s Inge Dekker into third place.

"When I got into the water, I felt quite tired and I just tried my best to win at least a third (place) ... so I am quite proud of this silver without any training," said Tao Li.

— CNA/de