This Article is From Oct 06, 2010

Australia's Seebohm gets gold in 100m backstroke

Australia's Seebohm gets gold in 100m backstroke
New Delhi: Emily Seebohm of Australia on Wednesday finally got Commonwealth gold, beating the current world champion and world record holder in a new Games record.

The 18-year-old was behind Gemma Spofforth in the first 50m but fought back to outstroke the England swimmer with metres to go, lowering the record she set in the heats to 59.79.

US-based Spofforth, 22, held on for silver while Julia Wilkinson got her second bronze of the Games after coming third in the women's 200m individual medley.

Seebohm has been entered for eight events and was seen as the team's leading female swimmer in the absence of triple Olympic champion Stephanie Rice, who is out through injury.

The teenager won six medals at the Pan Pacs in California, including two golds, and was tipped to win six golds in New Delhi, emulating Australian swim legends Susie O'Neill and Ian Thorpe in the 1998 and 2002 Games.

But she has been eclipsed by teammate Alicia Coutts, who pushed her into silver spot in the 200m individual medley and 100m freestyle. Seebohm also got bronze in the 50m butterfly.

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