Liu Xiang breaks Asian record in women's 50m freestyle

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Liu Xiang of Guangdong proved how fast she could swim in the women's 50m freestyle as she shattered the Asian record twice during the preliminary and semifinals, going from 24.32 to 24.04 at the 13th Chinese National Games in Tianjin on Wednesday.

Liu, who finished sixth in the FINA World Championships with 24.58, sprinted to the top of the event in the morning heats with 24.32. The previous Asian record of 24.48 was held by Ikee Rikako of Japan.

The 21-year-old Liu showed she could move even faster in the semifinals and smashed her own record with 24.04, which is the fifth fastest time in the world rankings.

"I was so happy that I improved my personal best for about half a second this time. In fact, I should swim better in Budapest but I did not. I hope I can be faster in the final," said the sprinter.

Liu Xiang of China displays her bronze medal after the awarding ceremony of the women's 50m backstroke final at the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia, August 6, 2015. /Xinhua Photo

15-year-old Li Bingjie from Hebei snatched her fourth gold medal at the Games with an easy victory in the women's 800m freestyle in 8:20.98, more than 5 seconds shy of her Asian record, which she set in the Worlds, where she took a silver medal behind Katie Ledecky of the United States.

"I planned to better my personal best but I felt so tired after those days. I was not happy with the result but satisfied with my overall performance at the Games since it was my first National Games," said Li, who set two Asian records in the 400m and 1500m freestyle.

Li Zhuhao claimed the title of the men's 100m butterfly with 51.96, followed by veteran Zhou Jiawei of Guangdong at 52.43 and Zhang Qibin of Shangdong with 52.56.

Former world champion Ning Zetao won the men's 50m freestyle in 22.04 and Liu Yaxin of Zhejiang was crowned in the women's 200m backstroke with a time of 2:08.41. The swimming competition, which attracted a total of 621 swimmers, will come to an end on September 7.

110km

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency