The Dutch relay swimmers have won bronze at the World Aquatics Championships thanks to an impressive final sprint by Marrit Steenbergen. In the 4×100 meter freestyle, Tessa Giele, Milou van Wijk, Sam van Nunen, and Steenbergen only had to concede to Australia and the United States.
The Dutch quartet recorded a time of 3:33.86 in Singapore. The Australian team became world champion with a time of 3:30.60. The American swimmers had to settle for silver after a nerve-wracking finish (3:31.04).
When Steenbergen dived into the water, the Netherlands was still in eighth place. China was in third place at that moment, but was overtaken by Steenbergen in the final meters. The 25-year-old from Friesland recorded the fastest split time of the entire field with 51.64.
The Dutch quartet had also qualified third for the final earlier in the day. Van Wijk, Femke Spiering, Van Nunen, and Steenbergen did so in 3:35.47.
The bronze medal for the relay swimmers is the first World Championship medal for the Netherlands. The World Championships in Singapore will last until August 3.
Corbeau and Korstanje reach finals
Caspar Corbeau qualified for the final in the 100 meter breaststroke. The 24-year-old American Dutchman did so with a time of 59.17. He advanced as sixth.
Nyls Korstanje reached the final of the 50 meter butterfly. With a time of 22.79, he recorded the fourth time. The Frenchman Maxime Grousset was the fastest with 22.61. The finals of Corbeau and Korstanje will take place on Monday.