Chinese Long Course Nationals: Wu Peng Tops 200 IM; Sun Yang Cruises 800 Free

SHAOXING, China, MAJALAH AKUATIK INDONESIA. THE Chinese Long Course Nationals moved forward through a fourth day of action as some surprising finishes occurred throughout the night.

Wu Peng captured the national title in the men's 200 IM with a time of 1:59.50 to clear the FINA A cut of 2:00.17. Yang Zhihe, meanwhile, took second in 1:59.83 to also make the Olympic squad in the event. Wang Shun wound up third in 2:00.59.

2011 World bronze medalist Lu Ying clinched the women's 100 fly title in 57.48 to make the Olympic roster and move into the top five in the world in the event. Jiao Liuyang touched second in 57.80 for the second Olympic roster spot on the team, while Beijing gold medalist in the 200 fly Liu Zige faded to third in 57.85 outside of guaranteed selection for the Olympic team. 

Fu Yuanhui scored an upset in the women's 100 back with a 59.99, becoming the eighth woman under 1:00 this year. Veterans Gao Chang (1:00.68) and Zhou Yanxin (1:00.80) took second and third, while 2011 world titlist Zhao Jing fell well back with a fifth-place 1:01.27 citing a fever as the reason for her finish. The FINA A cut in the event is 1:00.82, with the top three swimmers all clearing the mark. While Fu and Gao are likely safe to make the team, China has reserved the right to submit its Olympic roster also based on prior history and not just a single Trials.

Zhou Jiawei topped the men's 100 fly in 52.26, edging the FINA A cut in the event for a spot on the Olympic roster. Chen Weiwu (52.51) and Zhang Qibin (52.56) finished second and third in the finale.

Sun Yang cruised home with an easy-speed 7:47.11 to win the men's 800 free. With the event being a non-Olympic distance, he led Wang Kechang by more than 13 seconds for the win while expending the least amount of effort. Sun's performance easily led the world this year, clearing Gregorio Paltrinieri's previous pacesetter of 7:51.97 from Italy last month. Wang took second in 8:00.28, while Zhang Yunxiang finished third in 8:04.94.

Sun told reporters after the swim that he was focusing on the 200 and 400 freestyle events this meet, and would treat his 1500 free swim on April 7 as just a training effort.

Liu Xiaoyu claimed the women's 50 breast title in 31.39, while He Yun (31.7) and Suo Ran (31.78) placed second and third. (swimmingworldmagazine)