Ryan Lochte takes the 200 meter freestyle crown at the 2011 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS from his longtime friend and rival, Michael Phelps.
RYAN LOCHTE 1ST: 1:44.44
MICHAEL PHELPS 2ND: 1:44.79
PAUL BIEDERMANN 3RD: 1:44.88
Lochte trailed Phelps for the first 100 meters, turned at the half way mark and blasted nine dolphin kicks off the wall. Phelps, only doing five dolphin kicks, popped up early. Lochte literally passed Phelps underwater with the four extra dolphins.
UNDERWATER DOLPHIN KICK, THE SECRET WEAPON: Known as the fifth stroke, dolphin kick underwater is the fastest way a human can swim. Of course you can't breathe, so it comes down to who has the most training and conditioning. You must train, executing 10, 12 or even 14 dolphin kicks off each wall in practice to perform the way Lochte did in his World Champion win.
PHELPS REMAINS A SERIOUS THREAT AT THE LONDON OLYMPICS: While Lochte is considered the fastest dolphin kicker on the planet (and has been for many years), Phelps remains a threat in London. Phelps and his coach Bob Bowman will study this 200 free race, and you can be assured they will strive to top Lochte and Coach Greg Troy's plan in this event.
HOW MANY DOLPHIN KICKS DOES IT TAKE TO WIN OLYMPIC GOLD? The 200 meter freestyle in London will be won underwater. My guess: Phelps and Lochte will be pushing the dolphin kicks to the limit, 9-12 kicks off each turn. That should bring each to the 15 meter mark, the length at which they must surface, according to FINA rules, or be disqualified.
UNDERWATER DOLPHIN KICK HISTORY: 23 years ago, David Berkoff was the master at the underwater dolphin, going as far as 48 meters in some races (before FINA changed the rule, forcing swimmers to surface at the 15 meter mark).
HERE'S BERKOFF IN ACTION AT THE 1988 OLYMPICS:
OVERTIME -- RYAN THE RISING STAR: Ryan Lochte's known for his easy-going personality. Lochte, often misunderstand, is much more intelligent than the media gives him credit for. He's aware of his persona, and, to a degree, cultivates it. In reality, Lochte's a savvy businessman with a bright future. Lochte does not plan to retire after the 2012 Olympics. He aims to train until 2016, adding more Olympic hardware to the trophy case. Thus far, Lochte has 6 Olympic medals. Lochte will win 6-8 more in London, and, possibly, 4-8 more in Rio.
HERE'S LOCHTE JUST HANGING OUT, THE KIND OF PERSON YOU'D LIKE TO HANGOUT WITH:
LOCHTE AT HOME--PLAYING IN HIS POOL:
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