Russia's Ilchenko powers through to take 10km swim gold
Russia's Larisa Ilchenko clinched gold on Wednesday with a burst of pace that saw her storm past her rivals in the final straight of the women's 10km marathon swim in Beijing.
Ilchenko swam tactically spending most of the race sitting on the heels of British duo Keri-Anne Payne and Cassie Patten before making her move in the last turn to touch in first in a time of 1:59:27.7 seconds.
The Russian swimmer, unbeaten since 2004, said: "The idea was to decide everything in the last 300 meters. I
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am really happy. It was a very difficult swim."
Britain's Payne took the silver in a time of 1:59:29.2 seconds just ahead of teammate Patten who took the bronze in a time of 1:59:31 seconds.
South Africa's Natalie du Toit, who won five golds in the Athens Paralympic Games, came in 16th place in a time of 2:00:49.90 seconds. The South African swimmer, who lost her leg in a road accident seven years ago, made history by becoming the first amputee to qualify for the Olympics.
Russia's Larisa Ilchenko clinched gold on Wednesday with a burst of pace that saw her storm past her rivals in the final straight of the women's 10km marathon swim in Beijing.
