China grab 7 golds on opening day of FINA Champions Swim Series

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China's Xu Jiayu and Fu Yuanhui were determined to enjoy a strong opening day of FINA Champions Swim Series in front of their home fans in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, as both pocketed two gold medals with their teammates Ye Shiwen, Wang Shun and Zhang Yufei each winning one gold.

Xu was among the 109 swimmers who have signed up for the series. The first day featured 17 finals in the space of two hours, and Xu wasted no time grabbing the lead in the men's 200-meter backstroke. He touched the wall first in one minute, 55.24 seconds, and also won the 100-meter backstroke in 52.98 seconds.

In the women's 100-meter backstroke, Fu prevailed in 59.60 seconds. She also won the 50 meters in 27.60 seconds.

China's Ye Shiwen celebrates after winning gold at women's 100-meter breaststroke event during the FINA Champions Swim Series in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

Ye, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the individual medleys, claimed the 100-meter breaststroke title in one minute and 7.48 seconds, as Wang topped in men's 200-meter medley while Zhang winning women's 200-meter butterfly stroke.

Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden held off China's Li Bingjie to take the 200-meter freestyle in one minute and 57.62 seconds. And Hungary's Katinka Hosszu, swam five events, including four in the first 30 minutes, and won the 400-meter freestyle in four minutes and 5.16 seconds.

The inaugural edition of this event will continue in Budapest and Indianapolis next month.

(Top image: China's Fu Yuanhui (L) and Xu Jiayu celebrate their victories after competing during the FINA Champions Swim Series in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 27, 2019. /VCG Photo)