DOHA, Qatar - The World Aquatics Championships in Doha witnessed an impressive performance by Marrit Steenbergen from the Netherlands, as she clinched the gold medal in the women's 100-meter freestyle on Friday. Steenbergen, who had won a bronze medal at last year's championships in Fukuoka, showcased her exceptional skills, finishing the race strong in a time of 52.26 seconds.
Siobhán Haughey from Hong Kong started off the race with great determination, taking an early lead. However, it was Steenbergen's prowess in the second half of the race that ultimately propelled her to victory. Steenbergen's triumph solidifies her standing as one of the top contenders for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Reflecting on her victory, Steenbergen stated, 'The back half is my specialty.' Her performance not only secured an individual gold but also contributed to the Dutch team's victory in the 4x100 freestyle relay.
Meanwhile, Siobhán Haughey had to settle for silver with a time of 52.56, repeating her performance from the 2023 world championships. Shayna Jack from Australia secured the bronze medal with a time of 52.83, while Kate Douglass from the United States narrowly missed out on a podium finish, coming in fourth.
Haughey admitted that her strength lies in the first half of the race, stating, 'I died a little at the end, but that's how I swim the 100.' Despite narrowly missing out on the gold, Haughey's silver medal showcases her consistency and talent in this highly competitive event.
It is worth noting that Mollie O'Callaghan, the reigning world champion from Australia, decided to skip the championships in Doha, focusing instead on the upcoming Olympics in Paris. Additionally, Swedish swimmer Sarah Sjöström, who holds the world record in the 100-meter freestyle, withdrew from the competition before the preliminaries.
In addition to the women's 100-meter freestyle, four other finals took place at the Aspire Dome on Friday. In an intense matchup, the United States emerged victorious over Hungary with an 8-7 scoreline, securing their fifth title in the last six championships and their eighth overall in women's water polo. Rachel Fattal's outstanding three-goal contribution, coupled with goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson's remarkable defense, played a significant role in the American team's success. Spain secured third place by defeating Greece 10-9 to win the bronze medal.
The World Aquatics Championships in Doha continue to showcase exceptional talent and fierce competition among athletes from various countries. With every victory, the anticipation and excitement for the upcoming Paris Olympics continue to grow.
