 Martha McCabe looks up at the scoreboard after competing in the women's 200m breaststroke final at the World Championships in Shanghai on Friday, July 29, 2011. (REUTERS/David Gray) |
SHANGHAI -– Canada added another swimming medal on Friday as Martha McCabe of Vancouver won the bronze in the women's 200-metre breaststroke final at the World Championships.
It was the country's third medal of the competition after Ryan Cochrane and Brent Hayden both took silver in the 800-metre freestyle and 100-metre freestyle respectively this week.
American Rebecca Soni took the gold in 2:21.47, with Yuliya Efimova of Russia second at 2:22.22 and McCabe third at 2:24.81. Vancouver's Annamay Pierse finished eighth in 2:27.00.
"I'm excited and ecstatic," said McCabe. "It's a pretty important result one year out of the Olympics but I know this event will only get faster so I can't step back by any means."
The 21-year-old came to the worlds with high expectations.
"My goal was a top-five but after the semis I knew a medal was possible," she said. "My coach told me to focus on my third 50 and that's what I did. Heading into the wall, I didn't know where I was but I finished strong."
The Toronto native said a key to her success is training everyday with Pierse, the current world record holder.
"That keeps me on my toes," she said.