14-year-old backstroker Peng aims high

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Winning the national title in Huangshan on Friday was only a prelude for Peng Xuwei as the 14-year-old swimmer aimed to be the best backstroker in China and make a splash on international stage.

After competing at the World Championships in Budapest and the National Games in Tianjin within two months, most top swimmers in China such as Sun Yang and Fu Yuanhui decided to skip the National Swimming Championships which started on Friday.

The tournament being held in Huangshan for the sixth year in a row, became a showcase of younger swimmers among whom Peng clinched her first national title by winning the women's 200m backstroke final in two minutes and 9.55 seconds.

"I'm satisfied with my timing tonight. It's my personal best," said Peng, whose result on Friday was more than three seconds slower than the national record.

The teenage swimmer regarded Xu Jiayu as her idol, who was also a backstroke specialist and grabbed his first world title in the 100m event in July.

"I want to be as excellent as him," said Peng. "I want to be the best backstroker in China and I'm eager to make a hit at Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020."

Peng's teammate Yan Zibei from Hubei took victory in the men's 100m breaststroke in 59.38 seconds, 0.46 seconds behind his own national record.

"I took a rest for one month after the National Games and I came here just for fun," said the World Championships finalist.

In other actions, Mao Feilian from Zhejiang won the men's 200m individual medley in 2:01.05 while his teammate Zhu Menghui took the gold medal of the women's 100m freestyle in 53.88. Shandong's Ji Xinjie finished first in the men's 1,500m freestyle in 15:34.73.

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