Reigning 100 Free World Champ Ning Zetao Misses Chance To Defend Title

2017 CHINESE SUMMER NATIONALS

  • Friday, June 23rd-Monday, June 26th
  • Ganzhou Sports Center Natatorium
  • 50-Meter Course
  • Results

While competing at the 2017 Chinese Summer National Championships, a reigning world champion failed to qualify for an opportunity to defend his title in Budapest later this month. Ning Zetao, who won the men’s 100m freestyle at the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, could only muster a time of 49.67 in the morning prelims of his nation’s championships. The race marked the 24-year-old’s first competitive race since Rio, where he finished 12th out of semi-finals in a time of 48.37.

To qualify for Budapest, Zetao would have needed to clock the FINA A cut of 48.93, at minimum, with his 49.67 prelims outing falling .74 shy of the standard. Asian media is reporting that Zetao scratched out of the final, citing a ‘waist injury.’

“Ning’s result didn’t beat the designated A cut time. He is not the top ranked swimmer among those who meet the B cut, so he is not eligible to compete at the world championships,” said Zhao Jian, vice director of the Chinese Swimming Association.

We reported back in May how the world champion was indeed left off of the preliminary Chinese roster for the World Championships in Budapest, with the reason likely having something to do with his being kicked off the national team for various rule violations last year.

However, now that he missed the mark on his final chance meet, the pressure is on to find a quick replacement for the once-formidable-looking men’s 4x100m medley relay.  The trio of Chinese swimmers comprising the first 3 legs can certainly do some damage to the field in Budapest, with Jiayu Xu holding a 100m breaststroke season-best of 51.86, Zibei Yan owning a 100m breaststroke season-best of 58.92 and
Li Zhuhao ranking among the best in the world in the 100m fly with his mark of 51.34.

With no Zetao in the mix, the nation will most likely need to turn to freestyle specialist Sun Yang, a man who typically competes in the 200m as his minimum distance. Sun doesn’t look to have swum the 100m free individually since 2014 when he clocked a time of 48.55. China went with Zetao as the anchor at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, but the squad found itself disqualified in heats.

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AvidSwimFan
6 years ago

I bet the turmoil with the Chinese swimming federation had a negative impact on him. This is a loss to Team China.

JESSIE
6 years ago

Ning resumed training in May and his plan is to compete in China National Game in September this year.

ellie
6 years ago

Sun Yang is a good relay swimmer. He once split 1:43 in 200 so maybe he can split some 47 high in 100. Who knows? GBR isn’t of more advantage than China with their backstroker.

US is the favorite.

Swimmer?
6 years ago

Oh, sorry. Do you need more…. ermmm… training?

john26
6 years ago

I recall that Sun Yang has had a 47.98 split from a few years ago.

Captain Awesome
6 years ago

I guess it’s hard for him to swim as fast when not doping.

Captain Awesome
Reply to  Captain Awesome
6 years ago

This wasn’t just a random comment, he was caught doping as an 18 year old.

Tea rex
6 years ago

I thought Sun was 49 low earlier this year. Is that correct? It is hard to find Chinese results online.

Either way, it is going to look like Japan did with Irie and Kitajima on the front half.

marklewis
6 years ago

I guess Ning didn’t have the “zing” and will be staying home this year.

Rafael
Reply to  marklewis
6 years ago

That opens up a little a fight for Bronze on the medley relay.. China still ahead of the rest but not so much anymore.. US and GB for Gold SIlver

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Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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