Qin Haiyang Surges to 200 Breaststroke Title at Chinese Nationals; Sets Up Chase for Another World Champs Trifecta
Two years after he swept the breaststroke events at the World Championships in Fukuoka, China’s Qin Haiyang will have a chance to repeat the feat this summer in Singapore. Following earlier victories in the 50-meter breaststroke and 100 breaststroke, Qin prevailed over 200 meters on Thursday at the Chinese National Championships.
The world-record holder in the event, Qin posted a time of 2:07.57, which was more than two seconds clear of Dong Zhihao, who was the runnerup in 2:09.98. After leaving last summer’s Olympic Games without an individual medal in breaststroke competition, Qin appears on track to once again challenge for global supremacy in the breaststroke events. Before his win in the 200 breast, he clocked 58-mid for the 100 breaststroke and was sub-27 in the 50 breast.
Qin was joined as a titlist on Day Six by Lyu Qinyao, who took first place in the women’s version of the 200 breaststroke. Lyu recorded a time of 2:25.81, with Ye Shiwen placing second in 2:26.37. Meanwhile, veteran Xu Jiayu was the champion of the 200 backstroke, complementing his win in the 100 backstroke from earlier in the meet. In the 200 back, Xu posted a mark of 1:57.56.
The women’s 100 freestyle jumpstarted the evening session, with Wu Qingfeng besting the field in 53.27. Cheng Yujie was also under the 54-second barrier, going 53.35.
Several semifinals set the stage for Night Seven, including the men’s 50 freestyle. Earning the top seed was He Junyi in 22.23, but Pan Zhanle is lurking as the No. 3 qualifier in 22.35. Pan has already won the 100 free, 200 free and 400 free this week, and he should have plenty of more speed to bring over one lap in the final.
The top time of the semifinals in the women’s 200 backstroke went to Peng Xuwei in 2:09.21 and Chen Juner (51.50) was quickest in the men’s 100 butterfly semifinals. Wang Yichun (26.08) was fastest in the women’s 50 fly semifinals.
Thanks to the X account, Chinese Swimming News and Results (@CHNswim_fan), for its coverage of the competition.