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Peirsol — the backstroke badshah!

Kalyan Ashok

— PHOTO: AFP

Peirsol.

He is the ubiquitous American swimming champion, who carved a niche for himself at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Aaron Peirsol, the 25-year-old backstroke ace, made a big splash at Athens, winning the 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke and 400m medley relay.

His dominance of the backstroke has been pronounced but not without a tinge of controversy at the Olympics.

He was disqualified for an alleged improper turn during the race of the 200m, which was subsequently overturned by the jury, and he was awarded the medal.

Perfect start

The Californian, who towers six feet four inches, has a perfect start, which doesn’t come so easily in backstroke and paces his race with poise and precision and the ability to make breath-taking surge in the final lap.

He won the World championship 100m title in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and 200m title in 2001, 2003 and 2005.

In 2007, Peirsol lowered his own mark in 100m backstroke and went under 53 seconds, clocking 52.98s, the first man in the history to do so.

At Beijing, he will surely rank among the tough ones to beat in backstroke. And the two-time Olympian is not going to relinquish his golds that easily for anyone.

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