The 2021 Chinese National swimming championships kicked off Friday as Wang Shun and Yi Yiting achieved FINA A standards as this is serving as a selection meet for the 2021 Olympic Games.
Wang won the men’s 400 IM to start the meet with a 4:12.03 as he was well under the A standard of 4:15.84. His time puts him fifth in the world for 2021 as he is the reigning bronze medalist in the 200 IM from Rio. Wang won ahead of Qin Haiyang (4:17.36) and Liu Zongyu (4:17.80).
In the women’s 400 IM, Yu Yiting won with an Olympic qualifying time at 4:37.88, getting under the 4:38.53. Ge Chutong finished in second at 4:39.23 to just miss the cut as 2012 Olympic gold medalist Ye Shiwen was third at 4:44.29. Ye should have other opportunities in the 200 IM and the 200 breast, both events she has medaled in internationally. Yu is now sixth in the world for 2021.
In the men’s 400 free, Zhang Ziyang won with a 3:48.14 ahead of Ji Xinjie (3:48.58) as they missed the A standard of 3:46.78. Four-time reigning World champ Sun Yang was not present but was still guaranteed a spot on China’s Olympic team pending his CAS hearing at the end of this month.