Atkinson in 50m breaststroke final at worlds
ALIA Atkinson advanced to the final of the 50m breaststroke at the 10th FINA Swimming World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, after placing second in the first semi-finals and will contest today’s final.
Atkinson clocked 30.19 seconds behind American Rebecca Soni, who timed 29.96 seconds.
In Jamaica’s first swim of the Championships earlier in the day, Atkinson swam a blistering 30.44 seconds to charge into the semi-finals seeded sixth, just .30 seconds behind Russia’s Yulia Etimova, who had the fastest time in the heats of 30.10. Swimming in lane two of Heat Five, Atkinson who had a great reaction time of .71, was clearly ahead of the pack at the turn to drive home to finish well ahead of Julyana Kury of Brazil with 30.94 and Tjasa Vozel of Slovikia (31.96). Soni had the second fastest time moving to the semis; a fraction behind Etimiva (30.11).
Yesterday’s opening ceremony saw Atkinson being Jamaica’s flag bearer.
