Snyders edges into semis

Aucklander Glenn Snyders squeaked into the semi-finals of the men’s 100m breaststroke today.

Snyders, 28, has a best time of 59.78s for the event. He was well outside that time today and his 1min 00.26s effort was good enough to leave him 16th after the heats had been completed.

With 16 to go through to the semi-finals later in the day, Snyders’ position was precarious, but he learnt shortly afterwards that he would progress when David Gyurta of Hungary, who recorded the same time, elected not to contest a swim-off for the final qualifying place.

The two other New Zealanders in action in the pool today failed to progress.

Cantabrian Matt Hutchins swam a personal best of 3min 48.25s in the 400m butterfly, which left the 21-year-old 19th overall. He improved on his world ranking of 29th and set himself up nicely for his favoured 1500m event.

And Auckland butterfly specialist Helena Gasson found the going tough in the 100m. Her time of 59,73s was well outside her personal best of 58.51s and left her in 33rd place overall.