Shanghai's swimming star Qin Haiyang electrified the scene on Thursday in Qingdao by clinching his first gold of 2025 at the Chinese mainland's National Spring Swimming Championships. After a standout performance at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Qin dominated the men’s 100-meter breaststroke qualifying with a time of 58.61 seconds and sealed the final in 58.66 seconds.
"I should have been faster in the final than in the morning qualifiers, but I haven’t competed at big events for a long time," Qin commented as he works on regaining his competitive edge. His victory serves as a strong comeback and sets the stage for his continued presence in international competitions.
The championship showcased a wealth of talent across several events. Shandong teenager Zhang Zhanshuo edged ahead in the men’s 200-meter butterfly, finishing in 1:56.60, while Shandong’s Ji Xinjie claimed the men’s 200-meter freestyle title with a time of 1:46.76, leaving competitors from Hebei and Hubei to fight for the remaining podium spots.
In the men’s 50-meter backstroke, Guangdong’s Lin Tao secured a narrow win at 25.22 seconds, just 0.01 second ahead of contenders from Shanxi and Heilongjiang. The women’s events were equally compelling: Zhejiang’s Wu Qingfeng topped the 50-meter freestyle in 24.44 seconds, Hubei’s Peng Xuwei led the 200-meter backstroke in 2:06.54, and 19-year-old Yu Yiting shone in the 400-meter individual medley by finishing in 2:10.73.
This dynamic championship not only underscores the prowess and resilience of athletes on the Chinese mainland but also highlights a broader narrative of renewal and ambition in the sports arena. Fans and emerging talents worldwide are closely watching as these athletes redefine excellence in competitive swimming.
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Qin Haiyang claims first gold of 2025 at National Spring Championships
cgtn.com
