After cruising to an easy win in the 1500 free on the first day of the Chinese nationals, Sun Yang cranked up the engine and nearly swam the fastest 400 free of the year in Huangshan.
Sun, who won the world title in 3:42.58 last month in Russia, won the national title in 3:42.70. That gives him the two fastest swims of 2015. Sun’s swim comes exactly a month after he withdrew from the 1500 free at the world championships, complaining of heart problems shortly before the race. Sun has since been examined by doctors, but was not officially cleared for racing at nationals by doctors or his coach.
“I am tired but happy with the result,” Sun said after the race. “After the national meet, I will go home to rest for a few days.”
Earlier in the meet, Sun had won the 200 free with a 1:45.79, half a second slower than he swam at worlds to win the silver medal behind James Guy.
Other notable names were Fu Yuanhui, the world champion in the 50 backstroke, and Liu Xiang, the bronze medalist in the same event. Fu won the national title in 27.58, just four tenths slower than her winning time at worlds last month, while Liu was second with a 28.12.
Xu Jiayu, a finalist in the men’s 200 back at worlds, won the national title easily with a 1:58.88. Li Xuanxu, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist in the 400 IM, won a Ye Shiwen-free 400 IM with a 4:44.78.
Ning Zetao, the reigning world champion in the 100 freestyle, skipped that stroke at nationals and opted instead to race the 50 butterfly. He finished eighth in that event with a 24.78. Li Zhuhao won with a 23.80 to sweep the men’s butterfly events. He just missed the world junior record of 23.61.
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