2023 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
- July 23 to 30, 2023
- Fukuoka, Japan
- Marine Messe Fukuoka
- LCM (50m)
- WORLD CHAMPS WATCH PARTY – DAILY
- Meet Central
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Entry Book
- Live Results (Omega)
- Day 1 Prelims Live Recap | Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
- Day 3 Prelims Live Recap | Day 3 Finals Live Recap
- Day 4 Prelims Live Recap
China’s Zhang Yufei, the reigning Olympic Champion and Worlds bronze medalist in the women’s 200 fly, has no-showed preliminary heats of the event at the 2023 World Championships. This move will allow her to focus on the mixed medley relay during Wednesday’s finals session, where she is expected to swim the butterfly leg.
In the mixed medley relay, China is a gold medal contender and could possibly break the World Record. Their main challengers in the event will be the United States and Canada.
The semi-finals of the 200 fly happen approximately 40 minutes prior to the mixed medley relay final. Last year at 2022 Worlds, Zhang completed the double, but had been considerably slower on the relay (57.74) compared to her 100 fly flat start time (56.41) at the meet.
This year, Zhang has looked considerably better in the shorter distance fly events, which makes her no-show not all unexpected. Headed into Worlds, her season-bests were a 25.32 50 fly (Chinese record), a 56.48 100 fly, and a 2:07.99 200 fly, with the former two times being arguably more impressive than the latter.
Earlier on at Worlds, Zhang won the 100 fly in a time of 56.12. Without her in the 200 fly, as well as the fact that top seed Regan Smith of the United States finished 15th in prelims, Canada’s Summer McIntosh has become a big favorite to win the event.
Interesting to see Yufei moving towards focusing more on shorter distances. Is this related to her coaching?
It’s all about the MMR!
Dekkers for the silver I think
Gold for Queen Lizzy
I wanted to say that but I think Summer may have found her groove.
Aussies to win
we don’t have a strong enough breaststroker
Breast doomed Aussies
Where are you getting your breaststroke from?
Let’s go Yufei
Their main challengers in the event will be the United States and
CanadaAustralia.USA vs China will be electric.
Both will swim under WR, but yet to be seen who’s winning.
I agree.
There once was a champ, Zhang Yufei,
In the fly, she’d skillfully sway.
But a choice she did make,
Her event she’d forsake,
For gold in the medley relay.