Thorpe qualifies for final in first comeback race

SINGAPORE — Former Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe qualified for the final in the 100-meter individual medley at a World Cup event in Singapore in his first competitive race in five years.

The Australian finished second in his preliminary heat on Friday in a time of 56.74 seconds, behind Colombia’s Omar Pinzon. His time was the sixth-fastest among all the heats.

The final is scheduled for later Friday.

The 29-year-old Thorpe retired in 2006 after winning five Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles and setting 13 individual world records. He announced his comeback in February.

Thorpe is also set to race in the 100-meter butterfly event on Saturday.