Olympic medalists shine in National Games
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E-mail Xinhua, September 5, 2013
London Olympic women's 100m butterfly runner-up Lu Ying claimed the title of the event at the National Games in 57.04 seconds on Thursday, while world ace Sun Yang helped Zhejiang win the 4x100m freestyle relay.
Competing with 200m fly Olympic champions Liu Zige and Jiao Liuyang, Lu led all the way to win the title with a world third fastest time this year, also her season best. Liu trailed in 57.51, also a season best in the event, while Jiao came third in 58.04.
"I was under huge pressure before the race," said Lu, who failed to reach the final of the event at the Barcelona Worlds with 58.67 but claimed second in 50m fly. "It has been a long time since my last good performance in 100m fly."
"I thought a lot in the heats and semifinals, but in the final I told myself to focus on the race and don't think anything else," said Lu, bronze medallist of the event at the Shanghai worlds in 2011. "It is a precious experience for me."
Liu, 24, Beijing Olympic and Barcelona worlds winner in 200m fly, seemed satisfied with her silver.
"I'm tired after the Barcelona worlds and I am trying to find some rhythm through the 100m," said Liu, who will compete the 200m fly title with Jiao at the National Games.
London Olympic 400m and 1,500m freestyle champion Sun Yang won his second title at the National Games on Thursday with a relay gold. Zhejiang finished first in 3:15.61, while Chinese Army was second in 3:17.80. Beijing came third in 3:18.50.
"I caught a cold recently, but it's no big deal," said Sun, who will also take part in 100m, 200m and 1,500m after winning the 400m free Wednesday.
In the women's 400m free, the 18-year-old Shanxi girl Cao Yue won the title in 4:03.11, a world fourth best time this year, and also a personal best for Cao.
"It was about five seconds faster than my previous best time," said Cao.
Also Thursday, the men's 100m breaststroke national record was updated by Xie Zhi of Yunnan in 1:00.31.
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