Schoeman scoops another gold
2006-03-21 10:25
Melbourne - South African sprinter Roland Schoeman collected his third gold medal at the Commonwealth Games with victory in the men's 50 metres freestyle final on Tuesday.
Schoeman, who also won a relay gold on the opening night of competition and the 50m butterfly title, powered his way down the Melbourne Aquatic Centre pool in a slick time of 22.03 seconds.
The US-based sprinter broke Australian Brett Hawke's Games record of 22.30 seconds in winning gold in 22.03secs from Canada's Brent Hayden (22.19) and Hawke (22.31).
Schoeman has been feeling under the weather this week but he got away to a flying start off the blocks and held on to his advantage to the finish.
"I'm excited, it's awesome," Schoeman said of his third victory at the Games.
"I knew I needed to have a better start in the final and fortunately I did," Schoeman said.
"I touched the wall and saw there wasn't anyone too close to me and I thought 'yeah'".
Schoeman's other gold medals at the Games came in the 50m butterfly and as a member of South Africa's 4x100m freestyle relay team.