Li Bingjie Continues Freestyle Surge at Chinese Nationals; Qin Haiyang Adds 50 Breaststroke Title
Make it a triple in the freestyle events for Li Bingjie.
Adding to her previous victories in the 400-meter freestyle and 1500 freestyle, Li secured the title in the 200 freestyle on the fourth night of competition at the Chinese National Championships. Behind a time of 1:55.52, Li topped Liu Yaxin, who touched the wall in 1:55.96. Li’s latest victory was further demonstration of her range in the freestyle disciplines.
On the opening day of the meet, Li produced an Asian-record time of 3:59.99 in the 400 freestyle to become just the sixth woman in history to crack the four-minute barrier. She still has the 800 freestyle remaining this week and will be heavily favored to add another event to her schedule for this summer’s World Championships in Singapore.
Continuing to build momentum in the breaststroke events, reigning world champion Qin Haiyang prevailed in the 50 breaststroke with a mark of 26.71. Qin complemented his earlier win in the 100 breaststroke and seems poised for a big summer, after struggling at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Also dipping under the 27-second mark in the 50 breaststroke was Sun Jiajun (26.98).
Xu Fang and Chen Juner battled it out in the final of the men’s 200 butterfly, with Xu getting the victory in 1:55.22. Chen was just behind with a swim of 1:55.31, and both men have qualified for the World Champs.
In the men’s 800 freestyle, Zhang Zhanshuo beat the field on the strength of a 7:49.71 effort.
In semifinal action, He Junyi led the way into the final of the 100 freestyle with a swim of 48.49, with Olympic champ Pan Zhanle sitting third at 48.77. Pan, however, cruised through the session and will have a much bigger effort ready to go for the final. Meanwhile, in the semifinals of the women’s 200 butterfly, Yu Liyan was quickest in 2:08.43, followed by 12-year-old sensation Yu Zidi, who went a career best of 2:08.52. The youngster already finished second at Nationals in the 200 IM, going 2:10 in that event.
The men’s 200 IM semifinals saw Wang Shun go 2:00.24 for the top seed and Wan Letian advanced as the No. 1 seed in the women’s 50 backstroke in 27.54.
Thanks to the X account, Chinese Swimming News and Results (@CHNswim_fan), for its coverage of the competition.