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Zhang Yifan Wins First National Title in China in 200 Fly Upset

Braden Keith
by Braden Keith 0

September 09th, 2019 News

2019 CHINESE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Monday saw another National Championship for 17-year old Wang Jianjiahe and a first for 19-year old Zhang Yifan at the 2019 Chinese National Championships.

Yifan’s win came in the women’s 200 fly, where she swam a 2:07.87. That cut 1.63 seconds off her previous lifetime best in the event. Worlds bronze medalist Zhang Yufei, the favorite and one of the major stars who did turn up for the meet, led halfway but wound up 2nd in 2:08.03, with Lu Liying 3rd in 2:08.89.

All 3 times were faster than China’s two entries at the World Championships. There, Zhang swam 2:14.20 to finish 26th, and Zhu Jiaming swam 2:10.52 in the semi-finals to finish 14th. In an event where China was dominant for a decade, they had no finalists at Worlds this year.

Wang’s 5th gold medal came as part of the winning 800 free relay as a follow-up to her 200 free/1500 free double from Sunday.

In men’s racing, Ji Xinjie continued to take advantage of the absence of Chinese star Sun Yang by winning his 3rd gold medal. This one came in the men’s 800 free where he swam 8:01.65. He has previous wins at the meet in the 400 free (3:48.49) and the 200 free (1:47.12).

The other winners on the day were He Junyi in the men’s 100 free (48.81) and Zhang Ruixuan in the men’s 200 breast (2:11.28).

Semi-Finals Front Runners:

  • W 100 free: Zhu Menghui 54.77
  • M 200 back: Wang Yutian 2:01.25
  • W 200 breast: Ye Shiwen 2:28.47
  • M 200 IM: Cong Yu 2:02.88

Finals Top 3 Finishers:

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About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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