Sun Yang competes during the men's 1,500m freestyle final at the Chinese National Swimming Championships in Huangshan, east China, Sept. 6, 2015. Sun claimed the title with 15 minutes 12.89 seconds. (Photo : Xinhua)
Olympic and world champion distance swimmer Sun Yang grabbed gold during the men’s 1500m freestyle event on the first day of the Chinese National Championships in Huangshan, east China, on Sunday, while Wang Lizhou from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy broke the men’s 100m breaststroke national record and became the first Chinese swimmer to finish under the 1-minute barrier.
Sun, who was earlier named MVP at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Kazan, Russia, in August by winning two gold medals and one silver, finished with 15 minutes 12.89 seconds on the clock.
"After I quit the 1500m freestyle at the last moment of the final in Kazan due to heart problem, I took two weeks off when I returned home. My coach did not suggest me to take part in this national meet according to my physical condition," Sun said. "But I just hope to show up to the fans who came from over the country. No matter how slow I swam, I just want to swim in the lane and say 'thank you' to my supporters."
"For me, this meet is like a warm-up training regime for my next training program, and recovery session for my body," he added.
Wang Lizhou achieved a new national record time of 59.79 seconds to bag the men's 100m breaststroke title, beating the previous national record of 1:00.13 set by Li Xiang.
Yan Zibei came second in 1:00.97 and Mao Feilian third in 1:01.37.
"It was a pity that I did not qualify for the Kazan worlds. I hope I will not miss the Rio Olympic Games next year," said Wang.
In other events, Zhu Menghui clocked in an impressive 53.92 in the women's 100m freestyle, while Liu Yaxin won her first national championship title at the women's 200m backstroke event in 2:10.02. Further, Yang Zhixian dominated the men's 200m individual medley in 2:00.67, Suo Ran of the PLA Navy bagged gold at the 50m breaststroke at 31.69, and Wang Siqi clocked 2:08.49 in the women's 200m butterfly.
A total of 473 swimmers from 27 teams competed in the five-day national meet.
