The Chinese National Swimming Championships reached its seventh day of competition on Wednesday as the nine day meet is set to simulate what the Olympics will feel like next summer as the meet has morning finals and perfectly mirrors the Olympic schedule. Sun Yang, Yan Zibei and Li Bingjie are notably not in attendance this week in Anshan City.
Wang Jianjiahe is at the meet and she won her fourth title of the meet with a win in the 800 free after already taking wins in the 200, 400 and 1500 free. Wang was well off her best time but managed to get the win with an 8:30.
Men’s 100 Fly
Li Zhuhao won the 100 fly with a 53.43 as he won by 0.01 over Chen Chaoqi (53.44) and Wang Shun (53.64). Li was China’s butterflyer on their medley relay at the World Championships but he was much quicker there, splitting a 51 in Gwangju. Li had a disappointing showing in the 200 at Worlds but managed to put that behind him for a better 100, placing 13th at Worlds in the semi finals. He was China’s lone representative in this event at the World Championships so the Chinese will be looking for a second option moving forward. Wang is more known as an IM swimmer but could be a potential option in medley relays in the coming years.
Women’s 200 Back
Wang Jiayin scored an upset win in the 200 back final over World Championship members Liu Yaxin and Peng Xuwei. Wang was a 2:10.45 in winning the final as she beat both of China’s representatives in this event from the World Championships. Liu (2:11.41) was second and Peng (2:11.55) was third tonight. At the World Championships, only Liu advanced to the semi finals but she was 16th after adding two seconds in the semis. Peng was quicker today than she was at Worlds, where she was 22nd with a 2:12.
Women’s 800 Free
Wang Jianjiahe won her fourth title this week in Anshan City as she won the 800 free with an 8:30.91 just ahead of Hou Yawen (8:31.50). Wang was much quicker at the World Championships where she swam an 8:18.57 in placing sixth. Still, Wang completed the 200-1500 sweep at the Nationals this week as she enters the Olympic year next year as one of China’s best chances for a medal in Tokyo. She went slower at the Worlds than she did earlier in the year but the 17-year-old is one of the faces of Chinese swimming heading into next year.
Third place went to Bi Wenxin (8:35.87).
Semi Finals Wrap
With only one day left of the championships, only the 50 free finals will be held on day eight along with the men’s 1500 free. Yu Hexin is leading the men’s field with a 22.72 from the semi finals while Liu Xiang (24.77) is leading the women’s field.