Han Xue Wins Women's 50m Freestyle Swimming Gold

China's Han Xue Wins Swimming Gold at Universiade

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Chinese swimmer Han Xue finally came to the highest podium at the swimming pool of the 21st World University Games with an easy victory in the women's 50m freestyle Sunday evening.

The world cup title holder swam into her personal best in the event, clocking a winning time of 25.62 seconds in the final, beating her nearest rival Olga Mukomol of Ukraine by 0.10 seconds.

Suze Valen of the Netherlands had the bronze in 26.00 seconds.

It is the first gold for Han Xue, who had hoped to win the 100m freestyle Friday, but could only manage a silver in the final.

"I was quite upset when I lost the 100m freestyle the day before yesterday," Han Xue told the press after the competition. " I had been confident with my ability in the 100m freestyle."

Han refused to appear before the press after losing the 100m freestyle Friday evening, giving the reason that she would take part in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay.

Han Xue finished third in the semi-final. "My coach told me to reserve a little bit in the heats and the semifinal," she said. "I swam to my best tonight. I was fully prepared for the competition and it is a good start for me to take part in the 9th National Games."

The 20-year-old swimmer gave up the 50m breaststroke heats in the morning, saying that she and her teammates "could compete with Germany and Japan in women's 4x100m relay, and it's more important to work as a team."

The Chinese team's plan paid off in the 4x100m relay, in which they defeated Japan to take the silver medal at three minutes 46. 24 seconds. Japan was third at 3:47.25 and Germany was farther at fifth with 3:47.69. Russia was fourth at 3:47.35.

Swimming prowess the United States proved their strength in the relay, taking the gold at 3:44.47.

Peter Marshall grabbed the first gold for the United States from he pool in a stunning finish in the men's 50m backstroke final at 25.79 seconds. Polish Mariusz Siembida had an identical clocking as Marshall and shared the gold in the event.

Another American simmer Todd Smolinski won the bronze medal at 25.99.

Ukraine is the only other team that collected two golds from seven on offer from the pool on the day. Igor Snitko won the men's 400m freestyle in three minutes 51.94 seconds and Oleg Lisogor had another crown for Ukraine through his win in the men's 50m breaststroke at 27.99 seconds.

The only other two golds went to Russia and Japan respectively, with Russian Igor Martchenko winning the men's 100m butterfly and Japanese Takahiro Mori dominating the men's 100m individual medley.

Following are Sunday's finals results at the World University Games:

Women's 50m freestyle final

1. Han Xue, China, 25.62 seconds

2. Olga Mukomol, Ukraine, 25.72

3. Suze Valen, Netherlands, 26:00

4. Sara C. Platzer, United States, 26.03

5. Kaori Yamada, Japan, 26.11

6. Ana Belen Palomo, Spain, 26.13

7. Inna Yiskai, Russia, 26.22

8. Julie Douglas, Ireland, 26.86