China sets 5 records in swimming at Military World Games

Five tournament records were broken as the host swimmers continued gold sweep, adding seven more on the third day at the World Military Games in Wuhan on Monday while Yang Junxuan, wrapping up five gold medals, became the most fruitful swimmer.

17-year-old Yang, and Zhu Menghui had one-two finish in the women's 100m freestyle, breaking military games record at the same time in 53.93s and 53.98s respectively. Both swimmers later joined the mixed team, partnering Ji Xinjie and He Junyi to win the mixed 4X100m freestyle in 3:26.04 for another new mark.

Gold medalist team China, silver medalist team Russia and bronze medalist team Poland attend the awarding ceremony of mixed 4×100m freestyle relay final of swimming at the 7th CISM Military World Games in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, October 21, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua/Cheng Min]

"I felt excited to swim here and fight together with my teammates. I want to test my limits and take more challenges," said Yang, who has won the 100m, 200m freestyles and three relays so far.

Ji Xinjie took the victory in men's 200m freestyle in 1:46.54, slicing 24 seconds off the previous record of 1:47.18 set by Kacper Majchrzk of Poland in 2017.

In a showdown between two Chinese, veteran Wang Shun edged Qin Haiyang in the men's 400m individual medley with a time of 4:10.13, 0.28 seconds ahead of Qin, both setting new record and which results could be awarded bronze medals at the Gwangju World Championships in July.

"It was a close race that Qin and I changed the lead in each 100 meters. I was lucky to fight until the last moment while it was Qin's first time competing the 400m IM. He did a great job," Wang said.

Local favorite Chen Jie claimed gold in women's 100m backstroke in 1:00.14, 0.36 seconds faster than the previous mark set by Daria K. Ustinova of Russia. Liu Yaxin and Allicja Tchorz of Poland finished second and third respectively. Ustinova came to fourth place in 1:02.01.

In the women's 200m butterfly, Zhang Yuhan snatched the gold in 2:10.68 and Wang Jianjiahe dominated women's 1500m freestyle in 15:57.50.

Joao Gomes of Brazil topped the men's 50m breaststroke in 27.07 and Daniil Pakhomov of Russia won the men's 100m butterfly in 52.66.

China so far led the swimming medal standings with 19 golds, nine silvers, six bronzes, followed by Russia's 4-7-5 and Brazil's 2-5-3.