PARIS: Torri Huske said it was “surreal” after stunning American teammate and world record holder Gretchen Walsh won gold in the 100m butterfly on Sunday.
Walsh turned first to the roar of a sold-out crowd at La Defense Arena and seemed destined for glory, but Huske chased her down to touch in 55.59 seconds.
“It’s very surreal,” Huske said after winning her second Paris medal, having been part of the United States’ 4x100m freestyle relay team that won the silver medal on Saturday.
“I don’t really remember my race that much. My first 50 felt good and then I really worked hard on my second 50, especially after last year.”
“I had a bit of a weak finish and I died in the race like I lost it all in the last 50 so I really wanted to have a good and strong last 50.
“It is very impressive that you have trained for this moment for so long.
Walsh had to settle for second, with China’s Zhang Yufei adding bronze to her Olympic silver in Tokyo.
Canada’s defending champion Maggie Mac Neil finished fifth and Australia’s Emma McKeon, the queen of the pool in Tokyo with seven medals, sixth.
Walsh was heavily favored after announcing herself to the world at the US trials last month.
At the start of a record-setting collegiate season at the University of Virginia, she broke Sarah Sjoestroem’s eight-year world record and posted three of the fastest times ever.
But Huske has more experience from this big event and used it to his advantage in an arena that sounds more like a football stadium.
“Maybe it wasn’t the time I was necessarily looking for, but even a medal in my first Olympics is something I don’t think a lot of people will say. I’m honored, really,” Walsh said. “I’m so proud of Torri, she worked so hard for it. I’m proud of myself. It was what America needed and wanted. It was a really special moment we shared there on stage.”
