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Chinese swimmer Ning takes historic win at Kazan worlds

Xinhua, August 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

Young talent Ning Zetao claimed a historic win for China at the world swimming championships here on Thursday, grabbing the most eye-catching men's 100m free gold in 47.84 seconds.

Ning, 22, who had been the first Asian swimming into 48 seconds in the event, broke the tight control of the event by Western swimmers and became the first Chinese to win the event in the world top arena.

"It is like a dream and I can't describe my feelings," said the excited Ning after the duel.

The men's 100m free final at worlds had never seen an Asian swimmer for quite a long time. Ning stormed into the final with the second best time in the semifinals.

"Just getting to the final was a big achievement. I didn't even think about a medal. When I touched the wall I didn't realise I had it," said Ning.

Ning, a lieutenant in the Chinese navy, saluted the national flag during the medal ceremony.

Before coming to Kazan, Ning had collected the men's 50m and 100m free golds at the 2014 Asian Games.

In tonight's tough final, Australian star Cameron McEvoy, who had been fastest in the heats and semifinals, took the event's silver in 47.95 and Argentina's Federico Grabich got the bronze in 48.12.

Olympic champion Nathan Adrian of the United States only finished seventh in 48.31. Endi