Qi Hui Regains 200m Breaststroke Title at Chinese National Swimming

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, April 26, 2002

Qi Hui Regains 200m Breaststroke Title at Chinese National Swimming

Chinese world record holder Qi Hui had a sweet revenge by winning the women's 200 meters breaststroke on the second day of the Chinese National Swimming Championships Thursday in Anshan.

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Chinese world record holder Qi Hui had a sweet revenge by winning the women's 200 meters breaststroke on the second day of the Chinese National Swimming Championships Thursday in Anshan.

The newly-crowned world short-course champion trailed home favorite Luo Nan in the first half but led the rest of the distance, clocking two minute 23.74 seconds, less than a second ofher own world record 2:22.99 set last year.

Luo, who took the gold medal from Qi over the 200m breaststrokeat the National Games last November, had to settle for a silver ina personal-best 2:24.41 while Zhang Tianyi, a surprised double gold medalist on her 14th birthday yesterday, came out third in 2:31.12.

Qi, 17, said: "I have become a mentally stronger swimmer after my disappointing experiences at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, the Fukuoka World Championships and the National Games last year."

"I've won a mental game that shows I'm still the best in the country. Luo's early lead didn't affect my strategy and strokes, but she did push me a lot tonight," Qi said.

Xu Yanwei from Shanghai claimed her third title at the meet in the women's 50m freestyle in 25.59 and 200m freestyle in 1:58.77 together with her victory in the 100m freestyle yesterday.

Wu Peng of Zhejiang province became the first man with three golds in Anshan as he won the 200m backstroke in 2:01.70, edging Yu Rui by 0.06 seconds. He was crowned twice yesterday in the 400mindividual medley and 1,500m freestyle.

Zeng Qiliang, men's 100m breaststroke world silver medalist in 1998, continued his unbeaten streak in national meet by winning in1:03.28, while Chen Hua, short course world champion of the women's 800m freestyle, dominated her trademark event all the way, touching in 8:30.07.

World champion Luo Xuejuan will face challenges from Qi Hui andLuo Nan on the way to defend her crown in the women's 100m breaststroke, while Chen Hua tries to earn her third gold in the women's 400m freestyle tomorrow.

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