2025 CHINESE NATIONAL GAMES
- Monday, November 10th – Monday, November 17th (swimming)
- Shenzhen, China
- LCM (50m)
- Prelims at 9am local (8pm previous night ET)/Finals at 7pm local (6am ET)
- Day 1 Recap/Day 2 Recap/Day 3 Recap
- Meet Central
- Results
- Livestream
The 2025 Chinese National Games will see day four of swimming action unfold from Shenzhen, with a slew of high-profile domestic athletes ready to steal the spotlight.
World record holder and Olympic champion Pan Zhanle dove in for the heats of the men’s 100m freestyle this morning, capturing the top seed in 49.63.
Tonight, he’ll be chased by the likes of Liu Wudi, Ji Xinjie and He Junyi in their bid to grab one of the eight slots for tomorrow night’s main event.
Wan Letian clocked the sole time of the women’s 50m backstroke heats under the 28-second mark, hitting 27.93 to lead the pack.
Tonight’s semi-finals will also feature Lu Xingchen, Peng Xuwei, along with Wang Xueer.
Additional semi-finals on the agenda include the men’s 200m IM and women’s 200m fly. The former will contain Olympic medalist Wang Shun, who casually posted a morning swim of 2:01.86.
The latter expects a battle among Zhang Yufei, Chen Luying and the 13-year-old phenom Yu Zidi. Zhang, a six-time Olympic medalist from Paris, logged an AM effort of 2:10.68, which was overtaken by Chen’s 2:09.92 to claim the top seed. Young Yu registered 2:10.80, although we know she’s capable of being much quicker, proven by the 2:06.43 put up for 4th place in Singapore.
As for the medal-contesting races, the session includes the men’s 800m free, women’s 200m free, men’s 200m fly, men’s 50m breast and the mixed medley relay.
MEN’S 800 FREE – FINAL
- World Record – 7:32.12, Zhang Lin (CHN), 2009
- Asian Record – 7:32.12, Zhang Lin (CHN), 2009
- CHN Record – 7:32.12, Zhang Lin (CHN), 2009
GOLD – Zhang Zhanshuo, 7:46.69
SILVER – Fei Liwei, 7:51.42
BRONZE – Liu Pexin, 7:53.00
18-year-old Zhang Zhanshuo has done it again, firing off another impressive performance on his way to a gold medal.
Zhang attacked this men’s 800m free from the get-go, leading wire-to-wire to ultimately touch in a time of 7:46.69.
Not only is that a new lifetime best, but his effort established a new Chinese National Junior Record.
Entering this competition, Zhang’s career-swiftest mark rested at the 7:47.87 notched at last year’s Chinese Spring Championships.
Tonight, he managed to dip under the 7:47 barrier, beating the field by nearly 5 seconds in the process.
Fei Liwei touched next in 7:51.42 for the silver as Liu Pexin rounded out the podium in 7:53.00.
Zhang now ranks as China’s 3rd-fastest men’s 800m free performer in history.
Top 5 Chinese Men’s LCM 800 Freestyle Performers All-Time
- Lin Zhang – 7:32.12, 2009
- Sun Yang – 7:38.57, 2011
- Zhang Zhanshuo – 7:46.69, 2025
- Fei Liwei – 7:47.11, 2024
- Zhang Ziyang – 7:51.86, 2021
This is a follow-up to Zhang’s already head-turning performances in the 400m free (new WJR) and 200m free where he became champion in each.
The entire podium now ranks as the top three performers in the world this season.
2025-2026 LCM Men 800 FREE
SHORT
7:36.73
| 2 | Johannes LIEBMANN | GER | 7:37.94 | 04/12 |
| 3 | Sven Schwarz | GER | 7:41.14 | 04/24 |
| 4 | Lukas MÄRTENS | GER | 7:41.31 | 04/24 |
| 5 | Zhang Zhanshuo | CHN | 7:44.45 | 03/22 |
WOMEN’S 200 FREE – FINAL
- World Record – 1:52.23, Ariarne Titmus (AUS), 2024
- Asian Record – 1:53.92, Siobhan Haughey (HKG), 2021
- CHN Record – 1:54.26, Tang Muhan, 2021
GOLD – Siobhan Haughey (HKG), 1:54.85
SILVER – Li Bingjie, 1:55.67
BRONZE – Liu Yaxin, 1:56.01
Olympic multi-medalist Siobhan Haughey of Hong Kong was too quick to catch in this women’s 200m free final.
The reigning Asian record holder turned in a time of 1:54.85 to hold a healthy advantage over the rest of the field en route to producing a result just outside her top 10 performances.
Li Bingjie, yesterday’s 1500m freestyle victor, was next to the wall in 1:55.67, just over a second off the 23-year-old’s PB of 1:54.52, which garnered her the silver at this year’s World Championships.
Liu Yaxin also landed on the podium in 1:56.01, good enough for bronze.
This is Haughey’s second elite competition since returning to the pool post-injury. The 28-year-old raced at the Hong Kong Age Group LC Championships earlier this month after having withdrawn from the 2025 World Championships due to a back injury.
Haughey now represents the #1 swimmer in the world at the moment.
2025-2026 LCM Women 200 FREE
O'CALLAGHAN
1:52.86
| 2 | Lani PALLISTER | AUS | 1:53.65 | 06/10 |
| 3 | Summer MCINTOSH | CAN | 1:53.80 | 03/06 |
| 4 | Siobhan Haughey | HKG | 1:54.13 | 05/28 |
| 5 | Freya COLBERT | GBR | 1:54.34 | 04/16 |
MEN’S 100 FREE – SEMI-FINAL
-
- World Record – 46.40, Pan Zhanle (CHN), 2024
- Asian Record – 46.40, Pan Zhanle (CHN), 2024
- CHN Record – 46.40, Pan Zhanle (CHN), 2024
Top 8:
- Pan Zhanle – 48.13
- Zhao Jiayue – 48.71
- Liu Wudi – 48.83
- Ji Xinjie – 49.10
- Wang Haoyu – 49.24
- Liu Yaojie – 49.32
- Wu Shengka – 49.35
- He Junyi – 49.37
Nothing too crazy transpired in the semi-finals of the men’s 100m freestyle as just a trio of swimmers delved into 48-second territory.
World record holder and Olympic champion Pan Zhanle landed lane four for tomorrow night’s final, posting a semi swim of 48.13.
Pan opened in 23.21 and closed in 24.92 to easily improve upon the 49.63 result he turned in this morning.
Zhao Jiayue‘s time of 48.71 means he’s the 2nd-seeded swimmer, while Liu Wudi will flank Pan on the other side for tomorrow night’s main event.
4th-seeded Ji Xinjie already earned silver last night in the men’s 200m free, ahead of Pan who took bronze, so he’ll be seeking another piece of hardware in this shorter sprint.
5th-seeded Wang Haoyu owns a lifetime best of 47.89 from 2 years ago and also earned silver at the 2023 Asian Games in 48.02; therefore, look for him to potentially produce a time much quicker than his 49.24 to vie for a minor medal.
WOMEN’S 50 BACK – SEMI-FINAL
- World Record – 26.86, Kaylee McKeown (AUS), 2023
- Asian Record – 26.98, Liu Xiang (CHN), 2018
- CHN Record – 26.98, Liu Xiang (CHN), 2018
Top 8:
- Wan Letian – 27.64
- Wang Xueer – 27.69
- Chen Jie – 27.86
- Lu Xingchen – 28.06
- Qian Xin’an – 28.28
- Chen Xin – 28.35
- Qian Meishun – 28.43
- Li Wanwei – 28.48
21-year-old Wan Letian, a medley relay bronze medalist at last year’s Olympic Games, registered a time of 27.64 to narrowly capture the top seed in this women’s 50m back.
Wang Xueer already earned bronze in the 100m back last night and sits just .05 behind Wan in the tightly-packed upper tier.
Chen Jie was also sub-28 with a mark of 27.86 as the 100m back silver medalist here, Lu Xingchen, secured the 4th seed in 28.06.
Wan’s lifetime best checks in at 27.30, a time she put up to take the bronze at this year’s World Championships. Prior to that performance, she snagged silver at the 2023 Asian Games in 27.41 behind Wang who topped that podium in 27.35.
MEN’S 200 FLY – FINAL
- World Record – 1:50.34, Kristof Milak (HUN), 2022
- Asian Record – 1:52.53, Daiya Seto (JPN), 2020
- CHN Record – 1:54.02, Chen Juner, 2025
GOLD – Xu Fang, 1:54.74
SILVER – Wang Xizhe, 1:56.07
BRONZE – Chen Juner, 1:56.83
National record holder Chen Juner may have led this men’s 200m butterfly final through the 150m mark, but he was surpassed by winner Xu Fang and runner-up Wang Xizhe on the final battle to the wall.
Already the 50m fly winner here, 22-year-old Xu crushed a split of 30.42 to Chen’s 32.65 in the final stretch to take home the gold in a new personal best. His time this evening sliced .03 off his previous best-ever outing of 1:54.77 produced just this past September.
Wang clocked 1:56.07 as tonight’s silver medalist, just off his PB of 1:55.97 from Ma of this year. Chen settled for bronze in 1:56.83.
MEN’S 50 BREAST – FINAL
- World Record – 25.95, Adam Peaty (GBR), 2017
- Asian Record – 26.20, Qin Haiyang (CHN), 2023
- CHN Record – 26.20, Qin Haiyang (CHN), 2023
GOLD – Zheng Yinghao, 26.97
SILVER – Yan Zibei, 27.04
BRONZE – Sun Jiajun, 27.23
In an unexpected turn of events, reigning World Championships bronze medalist and national record holder Qin Haiyang was deemed disqualified in this men’s 50m breaststroke final. He was originally going to place 3rd.
In his stead, it was 22-year-old Zheng Yinghao who grabbed the gold, logging a winning effort of 26.97.
That gave Zheng the edge over Yan Zibei who touched next in 27.04 followed by Sun Jiajun‘s time of 27.23, good enough for bronze.
Qin’s semi-final time of 26.75 from last night would have garnered him the gold. Yan was faster last night, with his semi swim of 26.86 also clearing tonight’s gold medal-winning performance by Zheng.
WOMEN’S 200 FLY – SEMI-FINAL
- World Record – 2:01.81, Liu Zige (CHN), 2009
- Asian Record – 2:01.81, Liu Zige (CHN), 2009
- CHN Record – 2:01.81, Liu Zige (CHN), 2009
Top 8:
- Yu Zidi – 2:07.95
- Zhang Yufei – 2:08.34
- Chen Luying – 2:08.61
- Yu Liyan – 2:08.84
- Lu Fanzhuo – 2:09.49
- Shou Yutong – 2:09.69
- Ma Yonghu – 2:09.90
- Cai Muke – 2:10.27
A battle is indeed brewing in this women’s 200m butterfly as 13-year-old phenom Yu Zidi roared her way to the top of the pack with a stellar time of 2:07.95.
That gave her the edge over the six-time Olympic medalist from Paris, Zhang Yufei who snagged the 2nd seed in 2:08.34.
As expected, Chen Luying is also in the mix with a solid 2:08.61.
Yu’s lifetime best is the 2:06.43 notched for 4th place in Singapore, so we’re potentially going to be treated to something special once medals are on the line.
MEN’S 200 IM – SEMI-FINAL
- World Record – 1:52.69, Leon Marchand (FRA), 2025
- Asian Record – 1:54.62, Wang Shun (CHN), 2023
- CHN Record – 1:54.62, Wang Shun (CHN), 2023
Top 8:
- Wang Shun – 2:00.10
- He Yubo – 2:01.04
- Tao Guannan – 2:01.10
- Li Yifeng – 2:01.25
- Chen Nuo – 2:01.26
- Fang Zhe – 2:01.43
- Liu Zongyu – 2:01.45
- Gu Enyi – 2:01.81
The men’s 200m IM semi-finals were subdued, with no swimmer dipping under the 2:00 barrier.
Olympic champion Wang Shun will be the man to beat with the top-seeded time of 2:00.10, knowing he’s been as fast as 1:54.62 in his career.
The remaining medals will most likely be a toss-up with the rest of the pack separated by less than a second.
MIXED MEDLEY RELAY – FINAL
- World Record – 3:37.43, USA, 2024
- Asian Record – 3:37.55, CHN, 2024
- CHN Record – 3:37.55, CHN, 2024
GOLD – Zhejiang, 3:42.09
SILVER – Jiangsu, 3:44.92
BRONZE – Hubei, 3:45.57
The combination of Xu Jiayu, Xie Yichen, Yu Yiting and Wu Qingfeng collectively clocked a winning time of 3:42.09 to grab gold in this mixed medley relay.
Xu produced another high-caliber performance of 52.58 to give his squad the lead before Xie continued the speed with a split of 59.88. Yu contributed a mark of 56.34 and Wu sealed the deal with a 53.29 anchor.
Jiangsu hit 3:44.92 as runners-up and Hubei’s tme of 3:45.57 garnered them the bronze medal.
Looking at the times of some of the more established Chinese stars, I wonder if their mentality has changed and National Games is no longer prioritised over World’s? Do any Chinese users know if this is the case?
The reason why most Chinese athletes treat this as a top priority is because winning could get you pretty significant government benefits later down the road; if you’ve already won before and is also clearly the top dog in your event domestically there will be less incentive to treat it as seriously. Which is part of the reason why the youngsters seem to be doing better than the older ones, relatively speaking.
A whole bunch of Chinese stars (or 1st tier swimmers that are lesser known outside China) were world champions already thanks to gold medal relays from Doha
I was told this is the biggest meet of China’s year and a 13 year old girl is keeping this from being a Pro Swim Series stop
The 18 year old Zhang Zhanshuo’s WJR in the 400 free is basically equivalent to the American record, and his 200 free was similarly strong.
Because the National Games of China, like the Olympic Games, are held every four years, their importance is arguably second only to the Olympics
Hope this ages well for tomorrow but remember the articles saying athletes like Pan were after “record breaking performances”?
Here are some other impressive splits:
1. Born in 2006, Zhao Jiayue swam a 48.7 in the 100m freestyle semifinals and then a 48.00 in the relay.
2. Born in 2005, Dong Zhihao achieved a 58.35 split in breaststroke with a reaction time of 0.4.
3. Xie Yichen, born in 2010, achieved a 59.88 split in breaststroke with a reaction time of 0.4. He is also a good medley swimmer and would have definitely won the silver medal in the 200m medley if he hadn’t withdrawn from the race.
4. Yan Zibei achieved a 58.65 split in breaststroke.
5. Zhang Yufei achieved a 56.5 split after swimming the 200m butterfly.
Did Yu Zidi race in the mixed medley?
Also, Li Bingjie was faster at Worlds with a 1:54.52.
Chen Juner was faster at Worlds with a 1:54.02, very disappointing.
Very controlled 2:07.95 for Zidi shes going to smash her Pb tomorrow
I suspect she will go low 2:04 in the final… might even be inside 2:03. Will be very exciting.
I think it’s unlikely, after all, her personal best score is 2:06.43. If she suddenly improves by 2 seconds, it’s simply not in line with the trend of increasing grades!
She improved almost 2 seconds on 200 IM already
Her improvement comes mainly from the breast stroke leg, so I’m not sure whether she’ll improve as much in 200 fly. More confident that she can go 4:29 in 4 IM.
Zhang Yufei vs Yu Zidi in 200 fly tomorrow is gonna be a pretty fun race
Or Yu just destroys Zhang.
I think if Yu Zidi wants to defeat Zhang Yufei tomorrow, she needs to approach the score of 2:05.50～2:06.00.
Looking forward to the official handover of the new and old kings of Women’s 200 Butterfly tomorrow.
*Chinese