Shi Jinglin and Xu Jiayu Move to Fourth in World Rankings at Chinese Nationals

Photo Courtesy: Joao Marc Bosch

Day three of the 2016 Chinese Nationals continued with stunning wins and a few blunders.

Wang Shun, a bronze medalist in the 200 IM at last year’s World Championships, gained his second crown of the meet with a 1:47.28 win in the men’s 200-meter freestyle. Just a few days earlier Wang won the 400 IM with a time of 4:13.62. Shang Keyuan (1:47.94) and Qiu Ziao (1:48.33) rounded out the top three.

Yao Yuling, who led semi-finals yesterday in the women’s 100-meter breaststroke, struggled to maintain that top speed. Shi Jinglin sped ahead to grab the national crown with a time of 1:06.29, good for fourth in the world rankings for 2016. She sits behind Yulia Efimova (1:05.70), Ruta Meilutyte (1:05.82), and Molly Hannis (1:06.16).

Guangdong’s Wang Xueer overtook Cheng Haihua, the top seed after semifinals with a time of 59.55, in the women’s 100-meter backstroke to post the top time at a 59.82. Chen Jie snagged a close second with a time of 59.90, while Cheng slipped to third with a 1:00.02. Fu Yuanhui, who was ranked fourth in the world for 2015 with a 59.02, finished fourth with a 1:02.13.

Xu Jiayu maintained his spot a the top of the sprint backstroke podium with a final time of 53.38 in the men’s 100-meter backstroke, moving him to fourth in the world rankings for 2016. He sits behind Mitch Larkin (52.85), Camille Lacourt (52.97), and Matt Grevers (53.35). Li Guangyuan turned in a 54.32 for second, while Hu Yixuan took third overall with a 55.10.

Semi-finals of the women’s 400-meter freestyle showed Qiu Yuhan out in front with a time of 1:56.69, while next to her Ai Yanhan, the swift 13-year-old, delivered a time of 1:56.91. Also qualifying for finals were Zhang Yuhan (1:57.20), Wang Shijia (1:57.80), and a chorus of 1:58’s for Dong Jie, Shen Duo, Guo Yunyun, and Yi Fang.

Tang Yi, who placed on the podium at the 2012 London Olympics in the 100-meter Free, missed finals with a time of 1:58.85.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use