Doha Worlds: Day 5 Finals - Silver and bronze for Dolphins

TEENAGE Dolphin Iona Anderson doubled down on her silver collection – and stuffed whale mascots – by finishing second in the 50m backstroke at the World Aquatic World Swimming Championships in Doha.

In a carbon copy of the 100m backstroke final from the previous night, USA’s Claire Curzan (27.43) won gold, Anderson the silver in a personal best (27.45) and Canada’s Ingrid Wilm the bronze (27.61).

Anderson’s two silver medals at her first senior international meet is on the back of an outstanding 12 months featuring the 50m backstroke title she won at the Youth World Championships in Israel.

“I love doing the 50m … I knew that a PB was in me and when I saw the result, I couldn’t believe it. I am just so grateful to be here, and it is a good experience. It is just so special to be here and contribute to the team,” she said.

When asked what she would do with her medals and mascots Anderson,18, said: “I have to figure that out … after Israel I sent my mascots to my grandparents, but I am not sure what I am going to do with these ones.”

In Doha, the Dolphins 15-member pool team has become the Swiss Army Knife of relays and on Day 5 finals, it was butterfly specialist Brianna Throssell and breaststroker Abbey Harkin multi-tasking to join Shayna Jack and Kiah Melverton in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay to claim a gritty bronze.

Australia touched third in 7min51.41, China winning gold (7min:47.26) and Great Britain silver (7min:50.90).

Day Five Finals Results:
Women’s 100 Free Semi Final:
Shayna Jack: Sprint specialist Jack did the job to book her spot in the final with a 53.16 effort that qualified her fourth. Netherland’s Marrit Steenbergen (52.53) is the top seed, Siobhan Haughey (52.92) second and Great Britain’s Anna Hopkin third (53.12).

Women’s 50m Backstroke Final:
Iona Anderson: SILVER – Anderson added the 50m back to her 100m backstroke silver with a PB of 27.45. USA’s Claire Curzan (27.43) won gold and Canada’s Ingrid Wilm the bronze (27.61).

Men’s 200m Backstroke Final:
Brad Woodward: Finished 5^th in his semi, clocking 1:57.58 but missed qualifying for the final.

Women’s 4x200m Freestyle:
Briana Throssell, Shayna Jack, Abbey Harkin, Kiah Melverton: BRONZE: Gritty effort from the quartet who reeled in an out-of-the blocks New Zealand but couldn’t catch the dominant Chinese or Great Britain.