Photo courtest Bestswimming
PHOENIX, Arizona, September 30. WE saw a lot of great performances in the final days of the Asian Games in South Korea last week, but nothing topped the amazing swim by China’s Ning Zetao to win the men’s 100 free.
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Ning became the first Asian swimmer to break 48 seconds in the event with a 47.70. 47.70. That’s five tenths faster than his best time, which had been the previous Asian and Chinese record, and puts him third in the world. When was the last time a Chinese man had been in the top 10, or even the top 20 in the world in the 100 free? It has to be a couple of decades or more. Ning took the race out pretty hard, splitting 23.02 at 50 meters. Compare that to James Magnussen’s opening split of 23.05 when he swam a 47.59 to lead the global standings, and it’s clear Ning has a bit of work to do in the final 50 but still has some pretty good speed throughout. As you know, Magnussen is a pretty strong closer in the 100 free, but with another year of training, Ning could do some damage at next year’s world championships. It will be a different situation there, when Ning will be racing against seven others of equal speed. Ning won the 100 free at the Asian Games by a full second, and swimming in clear water has a lot of advantages.
Ning’s 47.70 also gives China a boost in the 400 free relay, though not necessarily strong enough to challenge for medals at the world championships or Olympics. Again, mentioning China’s men’s team in a conversation involving the 100 free, let alone a 400 free relay, on a global scale is something that has rarely happened. So for giving Chinese swimming a reason to celebrate two years out from the Olympics, and adding another name to the global sprint freestyle ranks, we’re giving Ning Zetao the Speedo Performance of the Week.