Wang Jianjiahe wins China's 2nd gold at FINA Worlds

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China's rising star Wang Jianjiahe claimed the host's second gold medal at the FINA Short-course Hangzhou Worlds on Thursday, while two world records were renewed.

Wang, 16, who broke the women's 400m freestyle world record one month ago at the Budapest Short-course World Cup, was the gold hopeful of the 800m free. She didn't disappoint the home crowd and led all the way to win the gold in 8:04.35. Italy's Simona Quadrella finished second with a time of 8:08.03 while Leah Smith of the United States was third at 8:08.75.

"I am happy to win the gold, but I am not satisfied with my time. It is not my best," said Wang.

Wang Jianjiahe wins the women's 800m free final, December 13, 2018. /VCG Photo

The United States broke the mixed 4x50m medley relay world record as they won the relay in 1:36.40. The Netherlands and Russia came second and third, respectively.

Russia's Kirill Prigoda timed 2:00.16 in the men's 200m breast to break the world record and win the gold.

"The 200(m) is my signature event in short course and I don't know, either I prepared correctly and analyzed my mistakes, or I just closed my eyes and replicated how I needed to swim. But I am happy with everything and happy that I set a world record," Prigoda said.

China's Qin Haiyang rewrote the Asian record as he took the silver in 2:01.15, followed by Germany's Marco Koch with a time of 2:01.42.

"I didn't think about results before the swim, and I only thought it would be great if I have some improvements, so this is beyond my expectations," Qin said. "Maybe I performed better with the start and turns because the improvement of turns is helpful to results. The coach instructed me on details of the turns, and I prepared a lot for this competition."

Li Zhuhao of China walks away with the bronze of the men's butterfly 100m final, December 13, 2018. /VCG Photo

China's Li Zhuhao also broke an Asian record as he finished in 49.25 to take the bronze of the men's 100m fly. The gold was claimed by South Africa's Chad Le Clos in 48.50. Caeleb Dressel (48.71) of the United States finished second.

The Dutch swimmers made a 1-2 finish in the women's 100m free. Ranomi Kromowidjojo touched first in 51.14, while Femke Heemskerk trailed in 51.60. Mallory Comerford brought the United States a bronze with a time of 51.63.

American swimmers also took both the gold and silver in the women's 200m back. Lisa Bratton finished in 2:00.71, while Kathleen Baker was only 0.08 seconds off. Australian veteran Emily Seebohm was third in 2:01.37.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency