Li Bingjie Wins 200 Free Final in Austin

Photo Courtesy: R-Sport / MIA Rossiya Segodnya

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China’s Li Bingjie made some heads turn when her name popped up on the psych sheet of the TYR Pro Swim Series in Austin. Li is just 15-years-old and is one of the best swimmers in the world. She swam in front of the Austin crowd with a 1:56.96 in the 200 free on Thursday night for what is assumed her first swim on American soil. Li beat a solid field that included Melanie Margalis (1:58.23) and Taylor Ruck (1:59.26).

Kayla Sanchez (1:59.79), Claire Rasmus (2:00.38), Katie Portz (2:00.71), Rebecca Smith (2:00.78) and Shen Duo (2:02.33) also competed in the championship final.

Margalis picked up points for Natalie Coughlin‘s swim squad.


 Event 9  Women 200 LC Meter Freestyle
=========================================================================
        World: W 1:52.98  7/29/2009 Federica Pellegrini
     American: A 1:53.61  7/31/2012 Allison Schmitt
         Meet: M 1:54.43  2016      Katie Ledecky
         Pool: P 1:54.43            Katie Ledecky
    Name            Age Team              Prelims     Finals       Points 
=========================================================================
                       === Championship Final ===                        
 
  1 Li, Bingjie      15 CHINA-ZZ          1:59.45    1:56.96        
             28.00        57.76 (29.76)
        1:27.64 (29.88)     1:56.96 (29.32)
  2 Margalis, Melan  26 Saint Petersburg  1:59.06    1:58.23        
             28.59        58.65 (30.06)
        1:28.75 (30.10)     1:58.23 (29.48)
  3 Ruck, Taylor     17 HPCO-ZZ           2:00.43    1:59.26        
             27.80        58.40 (30.60)
        1:29.15 (30.75)     1:59.26 (30.11)
  4 Sanchez, Kayla   16 HPCO-ZZ           2:00.85    1:59.79        
             28.20        58.70 (30.50)
        1:29.28 (30.58)     1:59.79 (30.51)
  5 Rasmus, Claire   21 Texas A & M Univ  2:00.65    2:00.38        
             28.66        59.05 (30.39)
        1:30.07 (31.02)     2:00.38 (30.31)
  6 Portz, Katie     19 Texas A & M Univ  2:01.32    2:00.71        
             28.58        58.79 (30.21)
        1:29.84 (31.05)     2:00.71 (30.87)
  7 Smith, Rebecca   17 HPCO-ZZ           2:01.02    2:00.78        
             27.85        58.76 (30.91)
        1:29.84 (31.08)     2:00.78 (30.94)
  8 Shen, Duo        20 CHINA-ZZ          2:01.37    2:02.33        
             28.56        59.13 (30.57)
        1:31.20 (32.07)     2:02.33 (31.13)

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Lane Four

8 years ago

I’m telling you now. This young woman is the real deal. If anyone is going to defeat Ledecky in a 400 or 800 or 1500 race, it is this athlete. She is still young with a bright future. I am sure Ledecky is training with Li in her thoughts to push harder and faster. I wish them both the best of luck. Their races could become epic battles.

Michael Maloney

8 years ago

well at least we know know why Leah Smith pulled out of the Austin Meet….just saying