Xu Jiayu Sets Second Chinese Backstroke Record at Chinese Nationals

Xu Jiayu

QINGDAO, China, May 13. DURING the second day of competition at the Chinese National Championships, rising star Xu Jiayu downed his second Chinese record in the backstroke events.

Yesterday, Xu stole some of the spotlight away from Sun Yang’s return meet by popping a top-ranked time of 52.34 in the men’s 100-meter backstroke to set a national record. Tonight, he broke the Chinese mark in the men’s 50-meter backstroke with a sizzling 24.58, lowering the 24.75 mark set by Sun Xiaolei last year in Barcelona.

Tonight’s effort moved Xu to third in the SwimVortex world rankings behind only Camille Lacourt and Ben Treffers. Along with Ning Zetao’s freestyle prowess, China is starting to put together a strong set of medley relays heading towards the 2016 Rio Olympics.

While we are still working on more complete results, plenty of other action took place on night two in China. Lu Ying captured the women’s 50-meter fly with a 25.94 to move to fifth in the world with Liu Lan (26.39) placing second in the event.

Shen Duo topped the women’s 100-meter free in 54.15 with Tang Yi finishing a surprising second in 54.18. Zhang Yufei wound up third in 53.51 with Ye Shiwen continuing to demonstrate her freestyle-specific stroke with a 54.73. Although, Ye is known for her closing freestyle as part of her Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter IM, she’s still looking to transition that type of speed into the individual event.

Wang Shun captured the men’s 200-meter IM with a 1:57.99, while Shi Jinglin claimed the women’s 200-meter breast in 2:22.90. Finally, Sun Yang-led Zhejiang clinched the men’s 800-meter free relay in 7:16.01.

More to come as full result become available.

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