Swimming: McLean and Kent struggle in finals

New Zealand's Hannah McLean finished seventh in 28.90 seconds in the women's 50m backstroke final at the world championships in Montreal today, while her kiwi teammate Dean Kent trailled the field home in his event, the 200m individual medley.

McLean, who was eighth fastest qualifier for the final, broke her existing New Zealand record of 28.99sec which she set in yesterday's semifinal.

McLean, 24, has been New Zealand's top performer in Canada following her fifth place finish in the 100m final on Wednesday.

The Auckland swimmer became the first New Zealand woman to swim under 29 seconds in the 50m backstroke in yesterday's semifinals.

Australia's Giaan Rooney won in 28.63sec to add the title to the 200m freestyle gold she won at the 2001 world championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

Gao Chang of China finished second in 28.69sec and Germany's Antje Buschschulte was third in 28.72sec.

Meanwhile, Dean Kent continued New Zealand's presence in the finals today with an eighth placing in the men's 200m individual medley final with a time of 2min 01.81sec.

Kent held onto sixth place through the first three legs, but slipped back in the final freestyle leg.

American swimming sensation Michael Phelps won gold in 1min 56.68sec.

Kent qualified eighth for the final with his time of 2min 01.55sec to finish fourth in his semifinal yesterday.

* Results

WOMEN'S 50M BACKSTROKE FINAL
World Championships, Montreal, Canada

1. Giaan Rooney (Australia) 28.63
2. Gao Chang (China) 28.69
3. Antje Buschschulte (Germany) 28.72
4. Mai Nakamura (Japan) 28.86
5. Sophie Edington (Australia) 28.87
6. Janine Pietsch (Germany) 28.88
7. HANNAH MCLEAN (NEW ZEALAND) 28.90 (NZ record)
8. Lee Nam Eun (South Korea) 29.35

 

MEN'S 200M INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY FINAL
World Championships, Montreal, Canada

1. Michael Phelps (United States) 1:56.68
2. Laszlo Cseh (Hungary) 1:57.61
3. Ryan Lochte (United States) 1:57.79
4. Alessio Boggiatto (Italy) 2:00.28
5. Hidemasa Sano (Japan) 2:00.70
6. Vytautas Janusaitis (Lithuania) 2:00.78
7. Igor Berezutskiy (Russia) 2:01.43
8. DEAN KENT (NEW ZEALAND) 2:01.81