China's world record holders show class with easy win

By (Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-20 08:58

JINAN: China's world record holders Zhang Lin and Zhao Jing showed the class of their own as they staged comfortable win in the men's 200m freestyle and women's 100m backstroke on the third day swimming of the National Games.

Zhang, China's first male swimming world champion and world best holder, underlined his dominance in the final in 1:46.12, well clear of second-placed Sun Yang who clocked 1:47.22.

The bronze medal went to Zhang Zhongchao from China's Shanghai municipality in 1:47.93.

The victory added the third gold to Zhang Lin's gold haul at the National Games following triumph in 400m freestyle and 4x100 free relay.

"I'm here to compete for six events, but not necessary six gold medals," the 22-year-old from Beijing stressed. "I won't add pressure to myself, instead I will try to do best in each of the competition to contribute to the Beijing team."

He still has three more events in the eight-day swimming competition, namely, 100m, 1500m freestyle and a free relay.

Zhao Jing, winner of the Rome World Championships and world record holder in 50m backstroke, swam 58.96 seconds to win the women's 100m backstroke final.

Gao Chang from east China's Shandong province was second in 59.31 and the bronze medal went to Zhou Xinyan from Shanghai, who placed first overall after Sunday's preliminary and semifinal.

Other winners of Monday's competition include two-time Asian champion Qi Hui in women's 100m breaststroke final and rookie ZhangYu in men's 100m backstroke finals.

Qi, who smashed the women's 200m breaststroke world record at Sydney Olympics, claimed an easy win in 1:05.47, well ahead of silver medalist Chen Jiahui, Qi's national team fellow, by one second.

It is Qi's fourth and possible the last National Games trip. At the 10th National Games four years ago, the veteran sealed four gold medals.