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African Recap Day 4: Le Clos Unable to Top Phelps, Misses Podium

2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

The Phelps-Le Clos drama and antics aside– the South African is fearless, and he really went for it tonight in the 200 fly final.

Though, despite the talk and the build-up for the 200 fly, Le Clos was less of a factor than expected. Well, the entire order of the finalists in that race was seriously jumbled relative to expectations.

Pundits were sure to highlight the Phelps and Le Clos rivalry– that’s drama, and drama sells. Think Lilly King, think Tanya Harding. Drama. Sells. Next tier down were the Hungarians, but heavier attention was on Laszlo Cseh, who’s been around seemingly forever and had already been 1:52 this year.

Then, we were looking at Tamas Kenderesi, the other Hungarian. Those were the four, the focus was largely on Le Clos and Phelps. But, wait. Who was that?!

Japan’s Masato Sakai, less well known than his teammate Daiya Seto who was also in that final, appeared out of thin air to nearly steal the gold from Phelps. And Kenderesi was there for third.

So, Le Clos had to settle for 4th. The South African continues to be THE name to watch from the African continent, and while this was a crushing defeat for him, he’s not done yet. The 100 fly prelims are Thursday, and Le Clos will be hungry for another medal there.

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Billabong
8 years ago

Apologies King Chad….we are going to have to demote you back down to “Squire”. That 200 fly was probably the worst race plan I have seen you execute. Never mind, you still have a chance to take down the old Goat in the 100 fly. Go out fast, and come back even faster.

Attila the Hunt
8 years ago

Who is more punk between these two

Upvote for Le Clos
Downvote for Condrelli

Tom from Chicago
8 years ago

LeClown. That was silly shadow boxing; this is swimming, not MMA.

Steven Latham
8 years ago

Le C – loser “really went for it tonight ?? Didn’t really seem like he ever went for it!!
He was hanging back the entire race. Looked reminiscent of 2012 and he just didn’t have that extra gear

Lisa
8 years ago

Stole this off someone on Twitter:

“Chad le clos, next time le clos your mouth” so funny

ddu
8 years ago

Le Clos will beat Phelps at 100m butterfly

Justin Pollard
Reply to  ddu
8 years ago

A bold statement. But, ultimately, foolish. Still, I know you say it with a heavy heat; you kno

Justin Pollard
Reply to  ddu
8 years ago

*you know Phelps will win.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  ddu
8 years ago

u said the same for the 200 – didn’t work out , sorry

Hswimmer
8 years ago

Good, taught him a lesson. I hope it did anyways.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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