Young swimmers make splashes at China's National Games

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Teenage swimmers Wang Shun, Chen Xinyi and Xu Jiawu produced world-class performances at China's National Games on Monday.

Wang, who won the men's 400m individual medley title in a national record time last Wednesday, claimed his second gold here with victory in the 200m IM in 1:57.71, the world's eighth fastest time of the year.

Hunan's Yang Zhixian ranked second in 1:58.62, while Zhejiang's Mao Feilian was third in 1:59.78.

"It was a hard race," said the 19-year-old Wang. "I was under big pressure as Yang was a strong rival."

Shanghai's 15-year-old girl Chen Xinyi upstaged veteran teammates Tang Yi and Pang Jiaying to win the 100m freestyle in 53.84, only 0.01 second shy of the world's 10th fastest time of the year, which was made by Shannon Vreeland of the United States.

Tang, bronze medallist of the event at the 2012 London Games, touched in 53.87, and national record holder Pang Jiaying was third in 54.04.

"It is my personal best," said Chen. "I did well in details and my coach asked to not think about the rankings."

Zhejiang's 18-year-old Xu Jiayu swam fast in the last 50m to win the 200m backstroke in 1:56.67. Shandong swimmer Zhang Fenglin took silver in 1:57.62, while Liaoning's Chen Feiyi came third in 1:58.48.

Also Monday, men's 100m freestyle winner Ning Zetao, 20, broke another national record Monday in the 50m free heats with 21.91.

Olympic 200m and 400m individual medley winner Ye Shiwen ranked sixth with 2:11.59 in the 200m backstroke semifinals, while Hunan girl Liao Yali touched first in 2:08.70. The 100m back winner Fu Yuanhui was the seventh in 2:11.95.

The women's 200m breaststroke title went to Jiangsu's Shi Jinglin, who clocked in 2:24.57, the world's 10th fastest time of the year. Shanxi's Zhao Jin and Shaanxi's He Yun came second and third respectively.

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