50m breaststroke gold for Atkinson

Jamaica’s ace female swimmer, Alia Atkinson, clocked 29.05 seconds to win gold in the 50 metres breaststroke at the 2018 FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships in Hangzhou, China today.

Atkinson, the world-record holder in the event with 28.56 seconds, defeated arch rival, Lithuania's Ruta Meilutyte, who took silver in 29.38. Italy's Martina Carraro captured the bronze medal in 29.59.

The gold medal was a late but welcome present for Atkinson who celebrated her 30th birthday on Tuesday. It was her first gold in the event at the world championship. She had previously won three silver medals.