Brianna Throssell walked into the Olympic Aquatics Stadium with a smile plastered on her face, the Olympic debut nerves had obviously disappeared for the young Perth girl.
The Perth swimmer was in lane two going into the 200m women’s butterfly semi-final.
Throssell traditionally swims her strongest in the last 100m, so it wasn’t a shock that she broke the surface of the water in fifth position after diving from the blocks.
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Her stroke looked strong and she maintained it throughout the first 100m.
There was nothing between the swimmers at this stage.
At the 150m turn Throssell moved into second spot.
The crowd’s roar brought Throssell home, but she slipped back into third place.
She touched the wall in 2.07.19 which is still outside of her best time.
Following the race Throssell said she knew the second semi-finals were going to be quick.
“I hope I’ve done enough to get into the finals tomorrow night” she said.
It was enough for Throssell, who came in with the seventh fastest time and just scraped into the medal decider.
The time she recorded in the semis is still outside of her personal best, which brings promise of good things in tomorrow night’s final.
The title of Australia’s new Madame Butterfly is still up for grabs.
It looks like it will go to Maddy Groves who beat Throssell’s time, finishing in 2.05.66.
Groves recorded the best time in the fly and will swim in lane four.
Australia has won more medals in the fly than any other event. Tomorrow night’s final will be a must watch for swim fans.
Sportsbet are paying $34 for Throssell to win a medal.
Throssell had previously won seven bronze medals at the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic games.