Xu, Qi Win Impressively on Day Two of Chinese Nationals -- April 18, 2003

TIANJIN, China, April 17. TWO of China's top female swimmers posted impressive world-class times on the second day of competition at the Chinese National Championships/World Championship Trials in Tianjin.

Xu Yanwei, who won five gold medals at last October's Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, knocked more than half a second off her previous best to win the 100 fly in 59.08. Zhou Yafei, better known as a 200m flyer, was almost a full second back, just ahead of 12 year-old Zhao Jing.

Xu, who swam yesterday on Shanghai's winning 400 free relay, has a full schedule here in Tianjin: the 50, 100, and 200 free; the 50 and 100 fly; and all three relays.

Qi Hui, world record-holder in the 200m breast, won the 200 IM in 2:14.87, with Zhou Yafei second again and another 12 year-old, Zhang Tianyi -- who posted phenomenal short course times during the World Cup tour -- third.

The men's events were not quite at the same level as the women's. Wang Haibo upset perennial national champion Zeng Qiliang in the 100m breast, 1:02.42 to 1:022.80; in the 50 fly, Zhou Jiawei disposed of Jin Hao, 24.65 to 25.02.



CHINESE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tianjin, China
April 15-20, 2003

50 meter pool

DAY Two: April 16, 2003

RESULTS


MEN

100 METRES BREASTSTROKE
1 1:02.42 Wang Haibou,82,CHN
2 1:02.80 Zeng Qiliang,74,CHN
3 1:03.17 Wang Mengjian,80,CHN

50 METRES BUTTERFLY
1 24.65 Zhou Jiawei,83,CHN
2 25.02 Jin Hao,79,CHN
3 25.10 Cao Xuewei,84,CHN



WOMEN

100 METRES BUTTERFLY
1 59.08 Xu Yanwei,84,CHN
2 1:00.07 Zhou Yafei,84,CHN
3 1:00.26 Zhao Jing,90,CHN

200 METRES IND.MEDLEY
1 2:14.87 Qi Hui,85,CHN
2 2:15.67 Zhou Yafei,84,CHN
3 2:17.16 Zhang Tianyi,90,CHN