Sports
12:54, 12-Dec-2018
China's Wang Shun defends 200m medley at FINA Swimming Championships
Updated
12:48, 15-Dec-2018
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Wang Shun won host country China's first gold medal on the first day of the 14th FINA short course World Swimming Championships in the eastern city of Hangzhou.
He took the men's 200m medley in 1:51.01 minutes. China also won bronze medals through Li Zhuhao in the men's 200m butterfly and the national women's team in the 4X100m freestyle relay.
The first time the 24-year-old Wang won the men's championship 200m medley was in Tokyo on November 11. His successful defense in Hangzhou meant he became the fourth man to win multiple times gold medals in the event, as well the first Chinese man to two gold medals.
"I'm thrilled. I realized the aim that I set before the match and made my best record in my hometown. It's a great night," Wang told reporters.
Nineteen-year-old Li was overshadowed by winner Japan's Daiya Seto who broke the world record in 1:48.24.
Wang Shun of China leads the men's 200m medley final during the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, east China, December 11, 2018. /VCG Photo
Wang Shun of China leads the men's 200m medley final during the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, east China, December 11, 2018. /VCG Photo
The Chinese women's team stood on the podium of 4X100m freestyle for the first time since 2010 with a time of 3:30.92, while the USA got both men's and women's gold with men's team breaking the world record in 3:03.03.
China's Xu Jiayu went into the final of men's 100m backstroke with a first place in his heat and Wang Lizhuo also reached the final of men's 100m breaststroke.
Wang Jianjiahe, 16, finished fifth for the women's 200m freestyle final and Fu Yuanhui lost in the women's 100m backstroke prelim as she slipped at the start.
During the opening ceremony of the 25m championships at the Hangzhou Olympic and International Expo Center, China national swimming team's capital Sun Yang, who is also the native of Hangzhou, made a speech to welcome all participants.
Luo Xuejuan, the women's 100m breaststroke winner of the 2004 Olympic Games and who is pregnant with her second child, was present.
China's squad comprises 42 swimmers –19 men and 23 women.