DOHA: At the world swimming championships in Doha on Friday, Dutch women finally broke their dry spell by clinching two titles, while China also secured double gold.
In a night marked by new world champions, Marrit Steenbergen emerged victorious in the 100m freestyle, marking the first Dutch world title in the pool since 2013. Shortly after, Tes Schouten added another triumph in the women’s 200m breaststroke.
In a thrilling turn of events, teenager Dong Zhihao surged to victory in the men’s 200m breaststroke, securing China’s second gold of the night. The Chinese men’s 200m freestyle relay team capped off the evening with yet another gold.
With this success, China extended its lead on the medal table, setting the stage for the Paris Olympics in five months. Spaniard Hugo Gonzalez also seized victory in the 200m backstroke.
Steenbergen, who claimed gold in the 100m freestyle, expressed her elation, stating, “Today I did not really feel the pressure… When I do that I can swim really fast.” She finished ahead of Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey and Australian Shayna Jack.
Schouten, on the other hand, dominated the women’s 200m breaststroke from start to finish, breaking her own national record in the process. Overwhelmed with joy, she shed tears of happiness after her victory, describing it as “happy tears.”
The competition witnessed Dong’s remarkable comeback in the final 50m of the men’s 200m breaststroke, clinching his first world title. Meanwhile, Gonzalez showcased a strong final lap to claim his first world title in the 200m backstroke.
China’s dominance extended to the relay events, with their men’s 200m freestyle relay team narrowly edging out South Korea and the United States.
With these victories, China’s medal count in the pool rose to six, further solidifying their position as a powerhouse in swimming, with a total of 31 medals, 22 of them gold.
