USA Gets Bested By Arch Rival China, Secures Bronze on Day 7 of Doha World Championships

Hunter Armstrong continues to flourish for the U.S.A. at the 2024 Doha World Championship and led their swim in the mixed 4×100 meter finals. He piled up a good lead in the first lap and was well-complimented by fellow swimmers in the later laps. NCAA icon Kate Douglass joined hands in the last lap as it looked like another gold was coming to America.

However, the U.S. team fell short by a narrow margin as Chinese and Australian swimmers splashed hard. Despite Armstrong’s good first lap, the U.S. wasn’t up to their best in the middle laps and finished with the bronze medal in the 4x100m mixed freestyle.

Another medal for America at the 2024 Doha World Championships

Hunter Armstrong and Kate Douglass were the favorites for the 4×100 meter freestyle finals. However, the Republic of China was the fastest on the night to win the gold in 3:21:18 seconds. Silver was taken home by Australia in 3:21:78 whereas Armstrong and Douglass settled with bronze in 3:22:28 seconds.g It marked the 2nd time when the U.S. was beaten by China in the 400m event.

Yesterday, Team U.S.A. had to settle for the bronze medal in the men’s 4×200 meter freestyle finals as Chinese swimmers once again emerged the fastest of the night. 100m breaststroke gold medalist Nic Fink led the way for America to finish in the 3rd position in  7:02:08 seconds while China clocked  7:01:84 seconds for first place. The silver medal was taken home by the Republic of Korea in 7:01:94 seconds. However, while China hasn’t let America overtake them, tomorrow could be the day of another gold triumph for the U.S.A.

U.S lined up for medals on the last day Swimming Championship

The U.S. swimmers Michael Andrew and Hunter Armstrong qualified for the men’s 50 backstroke finals scheduled for tomorrow. Armstrong was the 2nd fastest of the night clocking 24.43 seconds while Andrew rose back from the 50m freestyle loss to qualify in 24.70 seconds. With no other top competitor in contention except Spain’s Hugo Gonzalez, at least a medal is guaranteed for America if not a gold, which could later come from Kate Douglass,

READ MORE: Doha World Aquatics Championships: US Gets Back to Back Gold With Hunter Armstrong Standing Atop the Podium Right After Claire Curzan

Douglass has been sensational throughout the last week of the Doha World Championships. The 22-year-old won the 200m individual medley and also secured the silver medal in the 200m breaststroke yesterday. She will line in the 50m freestyle finals tomorrow alongside world record holder Sarah Sjostrom. While Sarah will be the favorite, Douglass could surprise the Swedish great under the water.

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