Yu Yiting and Zhang Zhanshuo Lead Chinese Squad Headed for Pan Pacs; 13-Year-Old Yu Zidi Absent from Roster
China will send a 13-athlete squad to the upcoming Pan Pacific Championships, with Yu Yiting and Zhang Zhanshuo leading the entries. The news was reported by the X account, Chinese Swimming News and Results. The inclusion of Chinese athletes only strengthens Pan Pacs, which will take place from August 12-15 at the William Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine, California.
Yu is one of the most versatile female swimmers in the world and earlier this summer set an Asian record of 2:06.82 in the 200-meter individual medley. She could enter a variety of events at Pan Pacs, with the 100 butterfly a strong possibility. Yu owns a best time of 56.67 in the event.
In the breaststroke events, Tang Qianting should contend for several titles. Tang was the silver medalist in the 100 breaststroke at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and medaled in the 50 and 100 breaststroke events at last summer’s World Championships in Singapore.
While Yu and Tang will headline the women’s team for China, Zhang will be the headliner of the three men scheduled to compete. Zhang has established himself as a global presence in the distance-freestyle events, particularly the 400 freestyle. In that event, Zhang is the world junior record-holder, behind a time of 3:42.82. Zhang has also been 1:44.53 this year in the 200 freestyle.
Missing from the Chinese roster is 13-year-old star Yu Zidi, who is expected to contest a multi-event program at the Asian Games in September.
Here is a list of the Chinese athletes headed for Pan Pacs:
Women
Tang Qianting
Yu Yiting
Cheng Yujie
Wan Letian
Peng Xuwei
Yang Peiqi
Lyu Qinyao
Fan Yaqi
Lu Xingchen
Men
Zhang Zhanshuo
Liu Junjie
Chen Juner