Fairweather's 400m title defence was ruined by a false start in Sunday's heats. Photo: AFP / SEBASTIEN BOZON
Erika Fairweather has bounced back from her shock disqualification in the 400 metres freestyle to post the fastest time in the 200m heats at world champs in Singapore.
Fairweather's 400m title defence was ruined by a false start in Sunday's heats but she had no trouble over the shorter distance, leaving Olympic champion Mollie O'Callaghan in her wake.
Fairweather was runner-up in the 200m at last year's champs in Doha, and charged into the Singapore semis with point two of a second quicker than American Erin Gemmell and a half-second quicker than third-fastest O'Callaghan.
Tunisia's Ahmed Jaouadi, the 1500m freestyle short course world champion, took top seed in the men's 800m in 7:41.58, ahead of Australian Sam Short, who took silver in the 400m on Sunday.
Ireland's Olympic gold medallist Daniel Wiffen sneaked into the final along with Paris 400 champion Lukas Maertens, who beat Short for the world 400m.
Italy's Simone Cerasuolo was fastest into the men's 50 breaststroke semi-finals (26.42), while American Luca Urlando was quickest into the men's 200m butterfly semi-finals (1:52.71).
Five gold medals are up for grabs in the evening session, with American and world record holder Katie Ledecky the favourite to claim a sixth 1500m freestyle crown and record-extending 22nd world title.
- Reuters
