The Chinese mainland's national swimming championships wrapped up on Saturday in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, marking the end of a nine-day tournament that simulated the Paris Olympics schedule set for three months ahead. Athletes' performances here will play a crucial role in finalizing Team China’s Olympic roster, alongside recent World Championships results.
Among the standout performances, Tang Qianting shattered the Asian record in the women's 100m breaststroke twice, ultimately setting the new mark at 1:04.39. Yang Junxuan also made headlines by breaking the national record in the women's 100m freestyle with an impressive time of 52.68 seconds, surpassing Zhang Yufei's record from four years ago.
Pan Zhanle, just 19 years old, dominated the championships by clinching seven titles, including four individual and three team event victories. Pan's remarkable achievement in the men's 100m freestyle final saw him break the 47-second barrier with a time of 46.97 seconds, placing him alongside Romanian David Popovici as one of only two swimmers to consistently finish under 47 seconds. Pan's recent victory at the Hangzhou Asian Games and his world record in the men's 4x100m medley relay at the Doha World Championships earlier this year highlight his rising star in the swimming world.
Olympic champions Zhang Yufei and Ye Shiwen also delivered stellar performances. Zhang secured five golds and a silver, while Ye Shiwen, after an eight-year hiatus from Olympic qualification, successfully earned her spot for Paris following her resurgence at the national championships.
This year's championships not only showcased emerging talents but also reinforced China's commitment to excellence as they prepare for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
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China's national swimming championships conclude in Shenzhen
cgtn.com
