Hansen takes Bronze, Kitajima falters

The individual portion of Brendan Hansen's Olympic career concluded on Sunday evening in London, as he finished with the Bronze medal in the final of the 100 meter breaststroke.

Taking the Gold, with a World Record time of 58.46 seconds, was South Africa's Cameron van der Burgh. That bested the original mark of 58.58 set by Brenton Rickard of Australia in 2009.

Silver went to Christian Sprenger of Australia, .47 seconds off the winning pace, followed by Hansen, who was 1.03 seconds behind.

Hansen's rival, Japan's Kosuke Kitajima -- who bested Hansen in Athens and Beijing -- finished a disappointing fifth, as he was 1.33 seconds behind van der Burgh.

The 30-year-old native of Havertown, PA ended up with a total of three individual medals over three Olympiads: A Silver in the 100m and a Bronze in the 200m breaststroke in 2004, and today's Bronze. His two Golds were won as part of the United States' victorious team in the 4x100m medley relay at both Athens and Beijing. He has a chance for another first-place finish during the relay, which takes place next weekend.

Kitajima was attempting to become the first male swimmer to take Gold in an individual event in three successive games.

Havertown's Hansen to have shot at 100m breaststroke Gold

Havertown, PA native and University of Texas product Brendan Hansen, back at the Olympics once again for a final shot at an individual Gold medal, will get that chance for glory.

Hansen qualified for the final of the 100-meter breaststroke Saturday night in London, sneaking in with the eighth and final spot by a paltry .11 seconds.

The 30-year-old Hansen already claims two Olympic gold medals, but both came in relays. He won a Silver and Bronze medal in individual events in Athens eight years ago, but was shut out and shut down by rival Kosuke Kitajima four years back in Beijing.

The 100-meter finals are scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Broadcast is scheduled for 3:11 PM, according to NBC's Olympic web site.