Le Clos extends World Cup series lead

Chad le Clos stretched his overall lead by raking in another six medals at the fifth leg of the Fina World Cup series in Doha on Wednesday and Thursday.

Already holding a significant advantage at the top of the men’s standings at the midway point of the eight-leg short-course campaign, as he went in search of a record fourth series title, Le Clos was again in fine form at the two-day midweek gala.

He spearheaded a large South African contingent, winning the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly finals, as well as the 200m freestyle, and he pocketed silver medals in the 50m freestyle and 200m backstroke events.

Breaststroke star Cameron van der Burgh, who was lying fifth overall in the series ahead of the Doha leg, charged to another two gold medals in the 50m and 100m finals in his specialist stroke.

The last three legs of the lucrative World Cup series will be held in Beijing, Tokyo and Singapore next month.