China Propels to Women’s 800 Free Relay Top Seed in Prelims

(140819) -- Nanjing,Aug 19,2014 (Xinhua) -- Gold medalist Shen Duo of China celebrates after the women's 100m Freestyle final of swimming event of Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, on Aug. 19, 2014. (Xinhua/Ding Xu) (txt)

Photo Courtesy: Xinhua/Ding Xu

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Women’s 800 Free Relay

China arrived at the Duna Arena for the 800 free relay prelims ready to race. Zhang Yuhan (1:57.13), Liu Zixuan (1:56.82), Wang Jingzhuo (1:59.09), and Shen Duo (1:58.71) jumped to an early lead and never looked back. Focused on nothing but moving forward. The foursome would clock a top seed time of 7:51.75 to return as the top seed, thanks largely in part to a dominating 1:56.82 split from Liu as the second swimmer.

For much of the race the battle for second was between the USA and Australia, however, Japan’s Aya Takano delivered a 1:57.76 as the anchor to move the Japanese to second in prelims. Chihiro Igarashi (1:58.74), Rikako Ikee (1:58.53), Tomomi Acki (1:58.64), and Takano (1:57.76) posted a combined time of 7:53.67 to edge out the competition.

The USA finished a close third as teammates Melanie Margalis (1:56.58), Cierra Runge (1:59.17), Hali Flickinger (1:58.36), and Madisyn Cox (1:59.52) turned in a time of 7:53.73.

Australia settled for fourth and a combined time of 7:54.74, followed by the Netherlands’ 7:56.16.

Russia (7:55.67), Hungary (7:55.77), and Canada (7:56.49) rounded out the top eight qualifiers.

Swimming World Radio

Hear from Margalis as she discussed her lifetime best leadoff leg in the prelims, how she bounced back from a disappointing swim in the 200 IM and her expectations for the American relay in the final:

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