Chinese swimmer misreads bell, leads pool to extra 50m

Chinese teenage swimmer Wang Jianjiahe took the swimming pool for a ride when she misunderstood the bell in the preliminaries of the women's 800m free at the Swimming World Championships in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

Wang won her heat by a whopping 9 seconds but did not know she had reached the finish line. She kept on swimming for 50 more meters with Italy's Simona Quadarella also going the extra distance.

Wang Jianjiahe of China competes during Women's 800m freestyle Final at 14th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Dec. 13, 2018. Wang Jianjiahe claimed the title with 8:04.35. [Photo: Xinhua/Xia Yifang]

The bell sounds before the last 50 meters in short course swimming, as opposed to the last 100 meters in long course which Wang is used to.

Bemused Chinese TV commentators said "Perhaps she miscalculated. It won't change the results; the clock stopped when she reached the finish."

It also gave the internet something to joke about while they celebrated Wang's success.

One internet user said "it's ok if she counted the laps wrong, as long as she's got it!"

16-year-old Wang went on to win the 800m final.

It was her first World Championship title and China's first in the event in 16 years.

Wang Jianjiahe of China poses with medal during the awarding ceremony of Women's 800m freestyle Final at 14th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Dec. 13, 2018. Wang Jianjiahe claimed the title with 8:04.35. [Photo: Xinhua/Xia Yifang]