Chad le Clos added another gold to his significant Fina Swimming World Cup collection at the third and final leg of the 2022 competition in Indianapolis, USA on Friday night.
The 30-year-old South African claimed gold in the 200m butterfly in the opening leg in Berlin but had to settle for silver a week later in Toronto after he was beaten by young American Trenton Julian.
Unlike that swim, Le Clos didn’t let Julian build too big a gap this time. Swimming in the lane right next to him, he kept the American in his sights and put in a powerful final 50m to take the lead and secure the victory.
The former Olympic champion stopped the clock at 1:49.89 with Julian second in 1:50.08 and Canada’s Ilya Kharun finishing third in 1:51.70.
Le Clos holds the men’s record for the most gold medals in the World Cup Series. He reached the 150-mark with his victory in the 100m butterfly on Thursday, meaning he has now pushed the record to 151 with one more night of racing to come in Indianapolis.
Le Clos was clearly thrilled with the result. “That was a great race,” he said afterwards. “Congrats to Julian – that was a phenomenal swim. Without him I couldn’t have gone that fast.
“Last week he got me but I got him this week so it’s a pity there’s not another one for us to race but I’m really happy with the swim.”
Speaking of the showdown with Le Clos, Julian added: “I saw he was right there, and I knew he was coming at me in that last 50 so I tried to get my hand to the wall, but he got me this time.”
SATES MISSES OUT
The other South African in action, Matt Sates had another disappointing night. Coming into the series, the 19-year-old was looking to defend his overall World Cup title but has so far failed to produce a medal-winning performance in Indianapolis.
After storming out fastest in the butterfly leg of the 200m individual medley, Sates finished a distant sixth by the end of the race.
American Kieran Smith took top spot in 1:52.98, Lithuanian Danas Raspys was second in 1:53.37 and Finlay Knox of Canada third in 1:54.03.
Sates finished in a sluggish in 1:55.31, well off the impressive world junior record of 1:51.45 he set during last year’s World Cup series.
The Fina Swimming World Cup series will end with one last night of racing on Saturday where Sates will be hoping for a third straight victory in the 400m individual medley in as many weeks – and the US$10 000 bonus cheque that goes with it.