Mark Planamente
NormHackett Out To Prove That There Is Life After Thorpe
December 7th 2006 12:41
For a number of years, there has been only two male names that have meant something to the swimming fans, Grant Hackett and Ian Thorpe. Whilst there has been names like Craig Stevens and Michael Klim that have given us hope, and the occasional victory in the pool, Hackett and Thorpe have risen head and shoulders against the competition to be the best in their field.
When Thorpe was at his swimming best, he was a legend in the pool. His trademark 100 and 200 metre freestyle races were the biggest events to watch in at the Olympics and world championships.
However, as much as a legend as Thorpe was, there was always something about Hackett that made people stand up and cheer.
Whether they perceived him as a ‘battler’ as he had to fight to get to the top whilst Thorpe was a hit as soon as he entered the pool, or that he has fought over the long distances for the gold, more often than not in a great deal of pain, there was something in him that got the crowd cheering.
And whilst it has never really disappeared from the screens, he has made a semi-comeback, right in the middle of the Thorpe retirement.
Today, Hackett has set his mark on the swimming world, winning the 800m freestyle final at the world swimming championship trials in 7m, 48.54 sec – the fastest the world has seen this year.
It is a true testament of how much more Hackett has got to give to the sport. Whilst he has been the benchmark in the long distance events, the same way as Thorpe was in the short races, he is constantly improving himself to make sure he stays ahead of the game.
With Stevens nipping at his heels the entire race, plus a fitness question mark over his head after pulling out of the 200m final, Hackett let fly in the final 150m to make the race his own.
As many people were worried that Hackett might follow Thorpe’s big footsteps and leave the sport he has given so much too, today was proof that Hackett will stay around for some time.
However the best is yet to come, with his signature race the 1500m occurring on Sunday. As this was the race he fought long and hard for against the former great Keiren Perkins, Hackett will be desperate to prove that he is still able to carve this long distance up.
With men’s swimming already in a danger area before the Thorpe retirement, there is some question on how we can still be the dominant force in the pool. However if some swimmers can match up to the calibre that Hackett has set, then we will get through this rough patch with no trouble at all.
Until next time, sports fans.
When Thorpe was at his swimming best, he was a legend in the pool. His trademark 100 and 200 metre freestyle races were the biggest events to watch in at the Olympics and world championships.
However, as much as a legend as Thorpe was, there was always something about Hackett that made people stand up and cheer.
Whether they perceived him as a ‘battler’ as he had to fight to get to the top whilst Thorpe was a hit as soon as he entered the pool, or that he has fought over the long distances for the gold, more often than not in a great deal of pain, there was something in him that got the crowd cheering.
And whilst it has never really disappeared from the screens, he has made a semi-comeback, right in the middle of the Thorpe retirement.
Today, Hackett has set his mark on the swimming world, winning the 800m freestyle final at the world swimming championship trials in 7m, 48.54 sec – the fastest the world has seen this year.
It is a true testament of how much more Hackett has got to give to the sport. Whilst he has been the benchmark in the long distance events, the same way as Thorpe was in the short races, he is constantly improving himself to make sure he stays ahead of the game.
With Stevens nipping at his heels the entire race, plus a fitness question mark over his head after pulling out of the 200m final, Hackett let fly in the final 150m to make the race his own.
As many people were worried that Hackett might follow Thorpe’s big footsteps and leave the sport he has given so much too, today was proof that Hackett will stay around for some time.
However the best is yet to come, with his signature race the 1500m occurring on Sunday. As this was the race he fought long and hard for against the former great Keiren Perkins, Hackett will be desperate to prove that he is still able to carve this long distance up.
With men’s swimming already in a danger area before the Thorpe retirement, there is some question on how we can still be the dominant force in the pool. However if some swimmers can match up to the calibre that Hackett has set, then we will get through this rough patch with no trouble at all.
Until next time, sports fans.
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