SHAOXING, China, April 23. AFTER posting a world-leading time in the 400 IM on the first day of long course competition at the Chinese nationals, 16-year-old Li Xuanxu put up another world-class swim, this time in the 800 free.
Li swam an 8:24.10 to put herself third in the world behind Rebecca Adlington and Katie Goldman. Well back in second was Zhou Lili with an 8:35.32. Third place went to Li Limeng with an 8:37.16.
Jiao Liuyang is well on her way to sweeping the butterfly events at nationals, with her chief competitor, Liu Zige, sitting out the meet. Jiao took the 50 fly in 26.52. Rounding out the podium were Ling Shuyan in 26.80 and Guo Fan in 26.94.
Olympic medalist Pang Jiayang scratched the 100 free for health reasons, according to reports from Chinese media. Her absence paved the way for Tang Yi to win the event with a 54.72, the seventh-fastest time in the world. Wang Shiija was second with a 55.20 and Ye Shiwen finished third with a 55.38.
The men's 400 IM produced another world-class swim from 16-year-old Huang Chaosheng, who won the event in 4:14.75, the third-fastest swim of the year behind Yuya Horihata and Roberto Pavoni. Rounding out the podium were Wang Chengxiang with a 4:18.48 and Li Xiang with a 4:20.17.
The men's 50 free went to Shi Tengfei with a 22.80, just touching out Li Zhiwu, who was second in 22.82. Shi Yang was third in 22.89.