(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Fawad Hussain / The Peninsula
Swedish star Sarah Sjostrom clinched three gold medals to steal limelight on the opening day of the FINA airweave Swimming World Cup, which exploded into action with thrilling battles at the Hamad Aquatic Centre in Doha yesterday.
South African speedster Chad Le Clos, former world champion Vladmir Morozov of Russia and Hungarian speed giant Katinka Hosszu also bagged two medals each to start the two-day contest on a high note.
Sjostrom, who is comfortably leading the overall points standings for the title, started her campaign with a win in women' 200m freestyle, clocking 1:52.00 to overcome Dutch rival Femke Heemskerk. She then touched 55.55 for a gold in 100m butterfly and wrapped up her perfect run with a victory in 50m freestyle in 23.28.
The Olympic and world champion who broke two world records in Doha in 2014 was delighted after her 3-for-3 run on the opening day.
'I was fast today and my performance was good, the Swede said yesterday.
'I am very happy on winning three gold medals. It's always fun to be in Doha and I am enjoying the contest.
A swimmer takes part in the FINA airweave Swimming World Cup at the Hamad Aquatic Centre in Doha yesterday.
Le Clos also enjoyed a perfect day, winning both two races he competed.
He avenged rival Tom Shields of USA for Hong Kong defeat, with a victory in 50m butterfly, touching 22.45.
Shields had to content with bronze with China's Qibin Zheng claiming the silver.
The race was 26th butterfly victory for Le Clos.
'I am honoured to achieve this milestone for my country.
'I am very happy to beat Tom (Shields). He won the last race (in Hong Kong) so it's good to win this title. I am tired but there will be no excuses as I look forward to more races. Earlier, the South African won 200m gold with a time of 1:49.59, beating Shields who claimed silver.
After losing the 50m backstroke final to Aussie star Emily Seebohm, most decorated female athlete in the series, Hosszu bounced back to win back-to-back gold medals.
The Iron Lady claimed silver in the 50m backstroke but she looked invulnerable in 200m IM and 200m backstroke races, which she clinched comfortably with times of 2:05.29 and 2:02.06 respectively.
A swimmer takes part in the FINA airweave Swimming World Cup at the Hamad Aquatic Centre in Doha yesterday.
'I am super excited after today's races, said Hosszu who clinched six out of six gold medals in Hong Kong in the earlier leg.
'I am looking forward to three races on the final day. I love the atmosphere in Doha and the support for me here is amazing.
Former world champion Morozov was also in top form as he claimed gold medals in 100m freestyle and 100m IM. He clocked 46.87 for the 100m freestyle title and took 51. 38 for the medley triumph.
'I am happy the way I've performed today. I got the right momentum.
It was world champion Detti Gabriele of Italy, who again reigned supreme in men's 400m freestyle with a time of 3:42.57, beating rival Wojdak Wojciech of Poland. Jamaican world champion Alia Atkinson also struck a gold medal after finishing the job in 1:04.21 which she felt was not very fast.
'I wanted to go little fast but overall I am satisfied because I clinched the gold, she said before praising Doha.
'Doha is one of my favourite venues and I love to compete here, she said.
As many as 18 more finals will be decided today, the final day.
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