Zhang Yufei Dials Up 50 Butterfly Title at Chinese National Champs; Zhang Zhanshuo Prevails in 400 Freestyle
Veteran and 10-time Olympic medalist Zhang Yufei packaged a strong outing in the 50-meter butterfly on Sunday at the Chinese National Championships. Zhang cruised to the victory in 25.27, the third-fastest time in the world for 2026 and good for qualification to the Asian Games in September. Zhang wasn’t far off her personal best in the event, which sits at 25.05 from the 2023 World Championships.
Placing second and third with sub-26 performances were Wu Qingfeng (25.48) and Yu Yiting (25.92). Wu was the titlist in the 50 freestyle earlier in the meet and continued her show of speed, while Yu added to her spectacular week, which was highlighted by an Asian record in the 200 individual medley.
Zhang Zhanshuo turned in an impressive effort in the men’s 400 freestyle, as he won the event in dominant fashion. Zhang was timed in 3:44.47, which handed him a decision of almost two seconds over Fei Liwei (3:46.41), the national champ in the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle.
In the final of the men’s 50 breaststroke, Qin Haiyang got to the wall first behind a swim of 26.90. The silver medalist in the 100 breaststroke to Dong Zhihao, Qin showed the most speed over the one-lap breaststroke, finishing ahead of Liu Junjie (27.07) and Dong (27.18). Qin was signficantly faster in prelims, where he registered a time of 26.55.
In other action, longtime National Teamer Li Bingjie emerged victorious in the women’s 800 freestyle, going 8:25.79, while the men’s 200 backstroke crown was earned by Song Borui in 1:57.50, just .05 ahead of Xu Jiayu.
