Pelham native Kate Douglass took on the world record holder in the 200-meter breaststroke competition today at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, and it wasn’t even close. Douglass dispatched 20-year-old Evgeniia Chikunova of Russia by a body length in the event, adding a gold medal to the two silvers she has won at the championship.
The 23-year-old Douglass won an Olympic gold medal for this event last year in Paris, but did not have to face Chikunova, since Russian nationals were not allowed to compete in the games. Today she pulled into an early lead against the Russian swimmer, expanded it at the first turn and maintained her body-length lead to the finish, setting an American and championship record of 2:18:50 in the event. It was also the second fastest time ever in the event. Chikunova finished second at 2:19:96.
“I was really excited to get to race the world record holder in this,” said Douglass in an interview afterwards. “I knew it was going to be a tight race…I knew I could get out fast in that first hundred [meters] and I knew I just had to close faster than her… I think I just did a good job of staying in my own lane.”
Douglass had no time to celebrate the win, as she was scheduled to swim in a semifinal heat for the 50m butterfly just 16 minutes later. Not surprisingly, she was no match for her competitors in that sprint.
“I knew that double was going to be really tight tonight,” she said of the turnaround. “I was a little disappointed not to make the final in the 50 fly but it’s hard to be disappointed after that 200 breaststroke. I gave it my all in that race. I felt like I was going to throw up walking out to the 50 fly so I can’t be mad about that.”
Douglass will not be competing in any more individual events at the meet, but could see some relay action this weekend, as the Singapore championships draw to a close. Douglass’ two silvers came in the women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay and the 100-meter breaststroke.
