'Iron Lady' Katinka Hosszu takes gold again, this time in an upset
Lucky Stars of Rio: King wins battle of USA vs. Russia | Murphy sets Olympic record | Safety gives Patriots quote ever | Ledecky does it again in 200 freestyle | Phelps takes two more golds in epic night | Hosszu turns in record-setting 200 IM
RIO DE JANEIRO — Two nights after taking a flamethrower to the world record in the 400-meter individual medley, the Iron Lady won another gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke.
Hungarian star Katinka Hosszu touched the wall in 58:45 on Monday night at Olympic Aquatics Stadium, outclassing a field that included American Kathleen Baker and reigning Olympic champion Emily Seebohm of Australia.
Whereas Hosszu entered as a heavy favorite in Saturday’s race, she was expected to have stronger competition Monday night.
[Related: American Ryan Murphy wins gold, sets Olympic record in 100 backstroke; David Plummer takes bronze]
Seebohm took gold in the 100-meter backstroke at the world championships last year and entered Monday night with the world’s fastest time this year as well. But the favorite from Australia fell back early and never recovered to finish seventh.
Baker nearly overcame Hosszu late before landing a silver medal with a time of 58.75. Canada’s Kylie Masse and China’s Yuanhui Fu touched the wall at the exact same time a hundredth of a second later.
Having already won two gold medals in three nights, Hosszu could be poised to bring home an impressive haul. It would be a massive surprise if she doesn’t win the 200-meter individual medley on Tuesday night, and she could contend in the 200-meter butterfly and 200-meter backstroke if fatigue doesn’t become an issue.
