Bell claims World Youth swimming crown
West Auckland teenager Daniel Bell became the second New Zealander to win a World Youth swimming title.
The 18-year-old, who is in the Beijing Olympic team, won the final of the 100m backstroke at the FINA World Youth Championships in Monterrey, Mexico today.
Bell, who will lead-off the medley relay at the Beijing Olympics, took out the final in impressive fashion in 55.32s. This was slightly slower than his New Zealand Open record breaking effort in winning his semifinal yesterday when he became the first kiwi swimmer to go under the 55 second barrier.
It was virtually a kiwi quinella as Bell beat off Ben Treffers, competing for Australia, who is the son of New Zealand swimming legend Mark Treffers, who won three Commonwealth Games medals including golf in Christchurch in 1974.
Bell, who swims for the West Auckland Aquatics club did not rest on his laurels, turning around 20 minutes after his victory to win the semifinal of the 100m butterfly in a championship record 52.76.
He set the championship record in the morning heat which was beaten in the first semifinal before Bell reclaimed in to set up a great final tomorrow.
Bell follows the performances second New Zealand swimmer to win a World Youth title, following the effort of Southland’s Natalie Wiegersma in the inaugural event two years ago.
Swimming New Zealand chief executive Mike Byrne said the result was a tremendous effort for Bell and his coach Donna Bouzaid and a real boost for the sport.
“Daniel is an outstanding talent that has come through our coaching and development programmes,” Mr Byrne said. “It shows that we can produce world class talent in this country.”
The Beijing Olympic head coach Jan Cameron said Bell deserved real credit for his effort and that his improving times augers well for the Beijing Olympics.
“Fully tapered he is perhaps on track to get close to the mid-54 second range for Beijing and that coupled with the other more senior swimmers means they are on track for a top performance in the medley relay.”
The championships continue until Monday.
New Zealand results from the second day of the FINA World Youth Swimming Championships in Mexico:
Final:
100m backstroke: Daniel Bell (NZL) 55.32, 1; Ben Treffers (AUS) 55.77, 2; Chris Walker-Hebborn (GBR) 56.04, 3. Kurt Bassett (NZL) 56.26, 5.
Semifinal:
100m butterfly: Bell (NZL) 52.76, 1 (Championship record); Tim Phillips (USA) 53.28, 2; Ivan Lendjer (SRB) 53.33, 3.
Heats:
200m individual medley: John Gatfield (Wgtn) 2:08.91, 16.
100m freestyle: Ellen Quirke (Capital) 58.77, 25.
100m butterfly: Bell 53.73, 1; Shaun Burnett (North Shore) 56.13, 23.
200m freestyle: Bassett 1:53.82, 22; Kane Radford (Rotorua) 1:56.41, 41.
