Zhang Zhanshuo Sets World Junior Record in 400 Freestyle; Li Bingjie Claims Title
The first night of finals at the Chinese National Games featured a world junior record, as Zhang Zhanshuo claimed victory in the 400-meter freestyle. Zhang produced a winning time of 3:42.82, which bettered his 3:42.99 from earlier this year that was the unofficial WJR. The official world junior record belonged to Petar Mitsin, who recorded a mark of 3:44.31 in 2023.
Zhang is a rising star for China in the distance-freestyle events, along with the 400 individual medley. He has helped his homeland to three relay medals at the World Championships and appeared on the podium in five events at the 2023 World Junior Championships in Netanya, Israel.
Zhang was joined as a gold medalist in the 400 freestyle by veteran Li Bingjie, who captured the women’s event in 4:01.17. The silver medalist in the event at last summer’s World Championships, Li was pushed by teenager Yang Peiqi, who recorded a personal best of 4:01.90. Yang is the reigning world junior champion in the 400 freestyle.
In semifinal action, Zhang Yufei topped the women’s 100 butterfly in 57.22 while Wang Changhao grabbed the top seed for the final of the men’s 50 butterfly. Wang touched in 23.39, just ahead of the 23.41 of Xu Fang. Qin Haiyang was fastest in the semifinals of the 100 breaststroke, going 59.20, and 13-year-old Yu Zidi went 2:11.88 in the semifinals of the women’s 200 individual medley, with Yu Yiting next in 2:11.96.