Rebecca Adlington keeps the flag afloat at the World Swimming Championships in Shanghai
Last updated 7/31/2011 4:03:26 PM
Rebecca Adlington keeps the flag afloat at the World Swimming Championships in Shanghai
Rebecca Adlington rescued what was turning out to be a poor world championships for the British when she won her second medal in Shanghai.
The 22 year old produced a sprint finish to win the 800m freestyle after taking the silver in the 400m last week.
It was a thrilling race as Rebecca was behind with 100m to go but put in a dynamic sprint finish to overhaul her great rival Lotte Friis.
Adlington had never before won a world title but held on to claim what was only Britain's fourth medal of the meeting.
Double Olympic champion Adlington and Friis were together from the start before the Danish swimmer made a break after 500m. World record holder Adlington was 0.65 seconds behind with two lengths remaining but managed to sprint clear to win in a time of eight minutes 17.51 seconds.
She said afterwards: "Lottie is always such a strong competitor that I knew it was going to be a battle.
"I'm so glad I've added to my collection. She is just an absolute competitor and always there battling.
"Next year it will be the two of us again but hopefully I'll have the crowd behind me.
"I don't think I can do the 200m in London as I don't have enough speed. I want to work on the 400 and 800m, they are the ones I prefer.
"But hopefully I will get a spot on the 4 x 200m relay team."
Earlier Michael Phelps won his 25th world title by winning the 100m butterfly in 50.71 seconds ahead of Konrad Czerniak and Tyler McGill.
Phelps was only third at the halfway stage of his final but powered back down the second 50m to take his third gold of the week.
Inge Dekker won the women's 50m butterfly in a time of 25.71 seconds while Brazilian Cesar Cielo Filho defended his 50m freestyle in 21.52 seconds.