Aussie Seebohm upsets Kukors to win 200 IM at Pan Pacific swim meet

Seebohm upsets world champ Kukors at Pan Pacs

IRVINE, Calif. — Emily Seebohm of Australia has upset world champion Ariana Kukors to win the 200-meter individual medley at the Pan Pacific championships.

Seebohm led all the way and touched in 2 minutes, 9.93 seconds Saturday night. The 18-year-old earned her second gold and third individual medal of the meet.

“It was pretty exciting,” Seebohm said. “To go under 2:09, I never thought that would happen so soon. I’m still in shock.”

Kukors of the United States finished second in 2:10.25, well off her world mark of 2:06.15 set in a neck-to-ankle polyurethane suit at last year’s world championships in Rome. Those suits were banned starting this year, replaced by textile suits.

“It’s my fastest textile suit time,” Kukors said. “Emily just had a phenomenal race.”

American Caitlin Leverenz earned her second bronze of the meet.

Ryan Cochrane of Canada led all the way in winning the 800 freestyle for his second gold. The Olympic bronze medalist was timed in 7:48.71, second-fastest in the world this year. Cochrane also won Canada’s only other gold in the 1,500 free.

American Chad La Tourette finished second to Cochrane again, having earned silver behind him in the mile.