2018 CHINESE CHAMPIONSHIPS & ASIAN GAMES SELECTION
- Friday, April 13 – Wednesday, April 18, 2018
- Shanxi Sports Center Swimming Pool, Shanxi, China
- Full results
While competing on day 3 of the 2018 Chinese Championships and Asian Games Selection meet in Shanxi, Fu Yuanhui fired off the fastest 50m backstroke time in the world this season. Roaring to the wall for the gold, Fu fired off a super quick mark of 27.16, a mark just .10 off of the lingering World Record of 27.06 set back in the super suit era. Her time this week was also just .01 shy of the 27.15 she produced last year for silver behind Brazil’s Etiene Medeiros at the World Championships in Budapest.
Her 27.16 50m back time holds additional significance as the Chinese swimming star dropped out of the 200m backstroke earlier in the meet. After finishing with a morning heat time of 2:15.19, Fu decided to drop the event, citing nagging shoulder issues, as evidenced by the kinetic tape she reportedly wrapped around the joint at the competition.
Speaking to the press after her 50m, Fu stated, “I thought I would not stand on the podium this time since I was not in my best shape. But the result and full-house local fans boosted my confidence. I was relieved now that I could go to fight at the Asian Games to be held in August.” Fu described how her weight and strength have both decreased since suffering the injury and even thought about ‘quitting the sport.’ (ECNS)
In addition to the impressive 50m back performance in Shanxi, Fu also tied fro 3rd in the 100m backstroke. After registering a morning effort of 1:00.83 for the 2nd fastest prelim time, Fu tied Peng Xuyi in the final to claim 3rd in a time of 1:00.05. Taking the women’s 100m national title was Chen Jie in 59.66, followed by Wang Xueer who claimed silver in 59.89.
22-year-old Fu won the hearts of aquatic fans around the world in her post-100m backstroke race interview in Rio. At the 2016 Olympic Games, Fu tied now world record holder Kylie Masse for bronze in the race, which was news to her until speaking with the inteviewer on deck.
