XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia – Day 5 |10 April 2018

Two new national records for breaststroker Rossi

Two new national records by swimmer Samuele Rossi were the highlights of Team Seychelles on Sunday at the XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

In the 50m breaststroke at the Optus Aquatic Centre, Rossi clocked 29.82 seconds to improve his old record of 30.75 seconds set during the National Open Championship in July 2016, while in the 100m breaststroke he clocked 1 minute 06.25 seconds (1:06.25) to better his old time of 1:08.52 also set in July 2016 at the National Championship.

After touching the wall first in front of Zambia's Alexandros Axiotis in the 50m breaststroke, the Phuket British International School student got a rare chance at the Optus Aquatic Centre, getting called back to the blocks to compete in a two-man swim off.

Rossi and Isle of Man's Guy Davies had recorded identical times in the heat and were tied in the 18th position.

Although neither qualified directly for the semifinals, the 18th-fastest swimmer is named as one of two reserves, so officials asked them to race off against each other.

In the swim-off, Rossi managed to get his hands on the wall first.

"This is my first Commonwealth Games and I am super happy with the results, and I can't wait to come back in four years,” said Rossi.

Meanwhile, Seychelles’ other swimmers, namely Dean Hoffman, Adam Moncherry, Therese Soukup and Aaliyah Palestrini were in action yesterday.

In the 50m freestyle, Moncherry finished in 24.88 seconds, placing him joint 45th with compatriot Hoffman who also clocked 24.88 seconds.

Benjamin Proud of England won the gold medal in 21.45 seconds to break his own Commonwealth Games record of 21.76 from 2014.

He finished ahead of South Africa’s Bradley Tandy who finished second in 21.78 seconds followed by Australia’s Cameron McEvoy in third place with 22.06 seconds.

In the women’s 50m backstroke, Palestrini was ranked 25th with a time of 31.19 seconds, while teammate Soukup was 28th overall in 32.88 seconds.

R. D.