Several Quick Times Dropped at Chinese National Games; Wang Shun Looking Sharp
While many of the world’s top swimmers are racing in the short-course pool as part of the International Swimming League, China has put together some strong performances at the Chinese National Games. Leading the way has been Olympic champion Wang Shun, who already has collected victories in the 400 individual medley and 200 freestyle.
The gold medalist at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in the 200 medley, Wang secured the national title in the 400 IM behind a swim of 4:12.76. He also showed his skill in the freestyle, as he managed to prevail in 1:46.14, Ji Xinjie picking up silver in 1:46.48.
Zhang Yufei, who starred in Tokyo with a pair of butterfly medals, produced an impressive effort in the 100 fly at National. Zhang easily beat the field, thanks to a swim of 56.24, which was more than two seconds faster than her closest pursuer. Meanwhile, Tang Muhan clocked in at 4:01.95 to win the 400 freestyle, with Li Bingjie next in 4:03.63.
Former world champion Xu Jiayu had no trouble winning the 100 backstroke, as his 53.26 was comfortably ahead of the 54.36 of Li Guangyuan. In the women’s 100 breaststroke, Yu Jingyao was the top finisher in a time of 1:05.63, an effort that followed up a 1:06-low clocking in the semifinals. On the men’s side, veteran Yan Zibei bested the field in 59.03. In the women’s 100 backstroke, Peng Xuwei went 59.31 to beat Wan Letian (59.63).
Gold in the men’s 400 freestyle went to Ji Xinjie in 3:47.05 and Yu Yiting was quickest in the women’s 400 IM, going 4:38.39.