SWIMMING – BAHRAIN’S Stepan Goncharov came four-tenths of a second shy from making Asian Games history yesterday after just missing out on the podium – while clocking a new national record – in the men’s 50 metres backstroke at Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Japan.
Goncharov became the first-ever Bahraini to claim a place in the top four in swimming at the quadrennial Asiad, completing his final in 24.92 seconds – a new all-time best for Bahrain in the discipline.
He finished not far behind gold-medallist Jiayu Xu from China, who set a new Asian Games record of 24.04s en route to victory.
Xu’s countryman Zicheng Wang was the silver-medallist in 24.49s, while Jihwan Yoon from South Korea took home the bronze in 24.54s – narrowly beating Goncharov.
Twenty-three-year-old Goncharov was one of 10 competitors in the 50m backstroke medal race.
Earlier yesterday, he booked his place after winning the first of three preliminary round heats in a time of 25.18s.
His mark was seventh-best overall amongst the 29 swimmers who took to the pool in the event.
Bahrain’s Ahmed Helal was also in action in heat three, which he finished in eighth in 27.81s, which was 23rd-quickest.
Elsewhere yesterday for Bahrain, Goncharov and Abdulla Jamal competed in the men’s 50m freestyle. Goncharov had the 22nd best time overall of 23.06s in the heats, while Jamal ranked 34th from 47 swimmers with a mark of 24.30s.
Jamal also took part in the men’s 100m breaststroke, where he was classified 29th from 36 in the heats with a time of one minute 05.77 seconds.
In the women’s 50m backstroke, Amani Al Obaidli and Noor Taha were in action, going 20th and 26th, respectively, amongst the 31 participants in their heats. Al Obaidli had a mark of 30.10s while Taha clocked 31.57s.
In the women’s 200m freestyle, Sana Le Falher and Asma Le Falher were 15th and 17th in the heats. Sana clocked a mark of 2:10.88 and Asma timed in at 2:12.21.
The kingdom’s swimmers are back in the water today on the third of six days of action at Tokyo Aquatics Centre.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh