World champion Cate Campbell held off her sister Bronte to claim the national 100-metres freestyle crown in Australia's world championship trials in Sydney on Wednesday.
Campbell put behind a disrupted preparation from shoulder surgery to equal the world's fastest time of the year (52.69 seconds) to defy her younger sister (53.04) and clinch a third straight national 100m title.
Campbell needed several minutes to regain her composure before talking to the media following her swim after she suffered from a buildup of lactic acid.
She admitted it was the worst she had felt post-race since claiming her maiden world title in Barcelona in 2013 but said the pain was just a part of the process as she builds to the world championships in Kazan, Russia in July.
"I am learning to love the sting, just embrace it, not shy away from it," Campbell said.
She admitted she had to dig deep to maintain her 100m unbeaten streak stretching back to late 2012.
"Bronte was always going to make that very tough for me," she said.
"I have to give credit to her. I would not be the swimmer that I am without her."
World No.3 Bronte Campbell fell short of downing her sister by just 0.01 of a second at January's Aquatic Super Series in Perth after giving her sibling scares at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs on Australia's Gold Coast last year.
"Obviously, it's hard to come back from injuries so she would have appeared vulnerable but obviously she isn't," said Bronte, who also qualified for the event at the world championships.
"I feel for Cate because she has had a tough year racing with injury for more than a year."
Cate Campbell's time would have won 2012 London Olympic gold, claimed by Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands in 53.00.
Source: AFP
GMT 10:33 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
For INJAZ Al-Arab young entrepreneurs Regional CompetitionGMT 08:11 2018 Monday ,22 January
Women's rights protestors slam harassment, violenceGMT 07:31 2018 Sunday ,21 January
Female Sherpa from Nepal scales new heightsGMT 06:53 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Israel judge orders Palestinian teen in 'slap video' heldGMT 07:14 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
'Feminist' Deneuve apologises to sex assault victimsGMT 08:09 2018 Monday ,15 January
Norway's coalition expands but remains minority govtGMT 17:59 2018 Saturday ,13 January
To new Germany coalition governmentGMT 10:41 2018 Friday ,12 January
Wife of Saudi blogger Badawi told he could be pardonedMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©