Rickard Ready to take the World by Storm
Brenton Rickard goes into the World Short Course Championships flying under the radar, not that he has planned it that way. That's just what happens when there are so many gold medalists fighting for recognition and a share of the spotlight.
Rickard will dive in to the pool for the FINA World Short Course Championships in Shanghai from April 5-9 as one of the men to beat in the breaststroke races.
The 22-year-old claimed one gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games in his adopted home city of Melbourne last week.
He even recorded the 6th fastest 100m breaststroke relay split in history in setting up Australia's gold medal in the men's 4x100m medley relay. Only two other swimmers have ever gone faster, Olympic Champions Brendan Hansen and Kosuke Kitajima, and it was the highlight of a tremendous meet.
snip
One thing he has also experienced is success at the World Short Course Championships, where he came away from the 2004 Worlds in Indianapolis with four silver medals.
He claimed second place behind Hansen in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke and also claimed silver in the men's 4x100m medley relay.
If Brendan Hansen had not competed he would have come away with three, possible four gold medals. And that is the colour he is chasing in Shanghai when the World Short Course Championships start on April 5.
"The four silver medals were nice and I was happy to swim well last time but we don't race for silver, we race to win gold and win races and that is what I am aiming to do in Shanghai," Rickard said.
"Last time (2004 World Short Course Championships) I had some good competition and came up against Brendan Hansen, who is one of the best swimmers in the world but I feel as though I am in better shape this time around and I want to go one better, at least once and hopefully every time."
posted by Michelle at
4/02/2006 02:12:00 PM
9 Comments:
The cool thing about that is Brenton will finally get a chance for gold. The drag is he has got to look at it and wonder if Brendan were there if he would really have done it. Let's hope that Scott Usher and and Giordan Pogioli can keep him from a sweep. I have been looking everywhere for a psych sheet and can't find it anywhere. If I do I will post it here.
By
lala, at 4/03/2006 1:09 PM
have to say that I am still confused with the prior thread, was that an April Fools thing that you made up Michelle or is this true? I am sure that I am embarrassing my entire family by typing this question but thought someone could enlighten me.
By
Aunt K, at 4/03/2006 5:57 PM
HAHAHAHA! Um, I mean, click on the article link Aunt K and you will have your answer. So glad I was able to fool at least one person and even better that it was you.
How's the puppy?
By
Michelle, at 4/03/2006 9:37 PM
Lala, a psych sheet would be very much appreciated, if you can find one. I'm finally able to watch swimming again, found no less than 4 channels on my tv that will show the short course championships!
By
tinkerbell, at 4/04/2006 1:51 PM
The only psych sheet I could find was this one from the FINA site:
http://www.fina-shanghai2006.com/en/competetion/doc/entryList.pdf
Hope thats what you're looking for.
By
Timtheswimmer, at 4/04/2006 3:05 PM
Not quite, but thanks for the link, timmy.
Hm, they did spell a lot of the names there wrong.
By
tinkerbell, at 4/04/2006 3:46 PM
No American's in the 100 Breast final :( Scott Usher missed it by .10, So .. Go Brenton I guess.
By
lala, at 4/04/2006 10:02 PM
Omg Michelle, you are too funny. I finally had time to click on the article link....gave me a good laugh, now had I done that on saturday would have gotten the joke...but this was actually funnier....Lil miss Mya is doing well...getting a little bigger, met the family this past weekend which threw her entirely off schedule...needless to say after she met everyone, then got home, she conked out for at least 12 straight hours (reminds me of my kids when they were younger going to grandmom's house...the next day they always slept late).
By
Aunt K, at 4/05/2006 11:27 AM
OOh I was wrong.. there was a semi in that race Usher made the final. Go Scott!
By
lala, at 4/05/2006 11:51 AM
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