Chinese Long Course Nationals, Day 3: Zhang Lin Sets Up 400 Free Challenge for Asian Games; Li Xuanxan Continues to Impress

SHAOXING, China, April 24. Two days after posting a respectable time in the men's 200 free that put him sixth on the world rankings list, Zhang Lin blasted through a 400 freestyle today at the Chinese long course nationals that put him at the top of the list in that event.

Zhang's winning time of 3:44.91 bested Korea's Tae Hwan Park's 3:45.03 that had been the No. 1 time since February. At the 2008 Olympics, Park won the 400 free while Zhang settled for silver. This sets up an intense battle between the two at this year's Asian Games.

Finishing second in the 400 free in Shaoxing was Dai Jun with a 3:48.46, good for fifth in the world this year. Well back in third was Jiang Haiqi with a 3:55.18.

Li Xuanxan continues to impress at the nationals. Li posted her third top five time in the world in as many events with a 4:05.77 that puts her fourth in the world. Liu Jing posted a 4:09.71 for second, while Liu Yiru was third with a 4:10.06.

Other events:

Women's 100 breast final
The top four places all finished in the 1:07 range, signaling a deep breaststroke field for China. The winner was Chen Huijia with a 1:07.64. Sun Ye was second with a 1:07.81 and third place went to Ji Liping with a 1:07.83. In fourth was Fan Rong's 1:07.90. All four times are ranked in the top 10 in the world this year.

Men's 200 breast final
Xue Ruipeng won the event with a 2:12.65, a top 20 world ranking time. Lai Zhongjian was second in 2:13.27, while Huang Chaosheng, who had won the men's 400 IM yesterday, was third in 2:13.95.

Men's 200 IM final
Qu Jingyu just missed breaking the 2:00 barrier with a 2:00.86 victory. Rounding out the podium were Zhang Zishan's 2:01.25 and Zhang Fenglin's 2:02.54.

Women's 200 back final
Bai Anqi won the event with a 2:08.82, with Zhou Yanxin second in 2:10.11. Third place went to Liao Yali with a 2:10.24.

Men's 50 back final
Cheng Feiyi just edged out Sun Xiaolei for the victory, 25.61 to 25.67. In third place was He Jianbin in 26.07.

Men's 50 fly final
Zhou Jiawei won the sprint fly in a close battle. His time of 24.23 just beat out Lin Lejun's 24.37 and Chen Weiwu's 24.42.

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