Pellegrini gold at short course worlds (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, December 7 - Italy's Federica Pellegrini won the gold medal in the 200 metres at the short course world swimming championships in Windsor, Canada, on Wednesday with a stunning performance. The 28-year-old notched a time of 1:51.73 to outclass the favourite, Hungary's Katinka Hosszu, who came home in 1:52.28, and prove she still has what it takes to compete with the best. "I'm over the moon, this medal closes the circle of my career," said Pellegrini after claiming the one medal that had been missing from her trophy cabinet after a very disappointing Rio Olympics. "I was swimming in lane three and for a bit I was thinking of that damned Olympic final in Rio.
    Above all the pre-race phase was hard. Then I loosened up, I got into the water and I did a perfect race, coming back the way I like. Beating someone like Katerina Hossku, who got three golds and a silver in Rio, is always difficult and stimulating".