Home » Chad le Clos Makes History Winning World Cup Series in Singapore

Chad le Clos Makes History Winning World Cup Series in Singapore

South Africa’s Chad le Clos and Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom were the big winners as they were crowned series champions at the Fina Swimming World Cup in Singapore, on Sunday… with Le Clos making history as he became the first male to win four World Cup titles. Both superstars collected winner’s cheques for $150,000. According to […]

By SAPeople
20-11-17 22:48
in Fab South African Stuff

South Africa’s Chad le Clos and Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom were the big winners as they were crowned series champions at the Fina Swimming World Cup in Singapore, on Sunday… with Le Clos making history as he became the first male to win four World Cup titles.

Source: FINA

Both superstars collected winner’s cheques for $150,000.

According to the Fina website both entered Sunday’s finals session at OCBC Aquatic Centre as champions, after their closest pursuers — and deposed title-holders — Vladimir Morozov (RUS) and Katinka Hosszu (HUN) were unable to gain enough points in the morning’s heats to extend the battle into the evening.

The runners-up were, however, $100 000 richer after their season’s efforts, while third-placed duo Kirill Prigoda (RUS) and Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) picked up $50 000. Morozov collected $50 000 as men’s cluster winner.

In last year’s overall series standings, only the winners were rewarded, getting $100 000.

South African fans in the audience in Singapore! Source: FINA

The Chad ’n Vlad show got the night under way in the 100m free, the Russian winning the duel in 45.56, and Le Clos touching home second in 46 dead.

When Morozov (23.85) finished sixth and 1.03 sec behind Pavel Sankovich (BLR), it left Le Clos needing to swim 48.25 in the individual finale, the 100m fly, to win the cluster.

However, he only just held on for victory in 49.49, as runner-up Zhuhao Li (CHN) set a world junior best of 49.53.

‘This year was the best World Cup, not just because I won but because it gave everyone a fair chance with the rule change to the number of races, and some of the things Fina laid on for fans. If they can just keep on improving it and making it more exciting, that’s the key,’ said Le Clos.

‘The money’s great — I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a motivation — but also coming here and racing top guys, that’s what it’s about. This year’s been important to me, mentally, and with the hard training. I’m excited for the Commonwealth Games in April — I start work tomorrow. I leave midnight tonight and tomorrow I’ll be in the gym, have an easy swim session and I definitely need some physio. It’s been a great season because take it back a year and a lot of people doubted me after the Olympic Games.’

Sjostrom will be heading to South Africa in a few weeks’ time for a month – “two weeks’ vacation and two weeks’ training camp,” she said. “I rented a house with my agent and my family, and I’ll see Chad and Cameron van der Burgh and all those guys.”

Chad tweeted: “Amazing moment first male to win 4 World Cup titles, thanks to my team and everyone who has supported me…”

Source: TeamSA.co.za