Shenzhen, China — Veteran swimmer Xu Jiayu clinched his third gold medal at the National Swimming Championships in Shenzhen, demonstrating that age is just a number. The 29-year-old dominated the men’s 200-meter backstroke, leading the race from the start and finishing with a time of 1:57.56. Despite facing a late challenge in the final 50 meters, Xu maintained his lead, with Yu Jingming taking silver and Tao Guan claiming bronze.
In the men’s 200-meter breaststroke, world record holder Qin Haiyang lived up to expectations by securing gold with a commanding performance. The 26-year-old led from the outset and touched the wall in 2:07.57. Dong Zhihao finished second in 2:09.98, with both swimmers qualifying for the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
The women’s 200-meter breaststroke final featured an exhilarating upset. Fifteen-year-old Lyu Qinyao surged past Olympic champion Ye Shiwen in the final 50 meters to capture gold with a time of 2:25.81. Ye had taken the lead after recovering from an initial deficit but could not hold off the young talent, showcasing the emergence of new stars in Chinese swimming.
The men’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay was a highlight of the championships. World champions Pan Zhanle, Wang Shun, and Sun Yang teamed up with Asian Games gold medalist Fei Liwei to represent Zhejiang Province. The formidable quartet won the race convincingly in 7:12.76, marking Sun Yang’s first gold at this championship and underscoring the strength of teamwork among China’s elite swimmers.
The National Swimming Championships not only underscored the dominance of seasoned athletes like Xu Jiayu and Qin Haiyang but also highlighted the rise of young talents poised to make their mark on the international stage.
