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World champion Ning Zetao to swim at Beijing World Cup

Xinhua, September 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Newly crowned men's 100m freestyle world champion Ning Zetao will compete in the 50m butterfly at the two-day FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup at the National Aquatic Center (Water Cube) from Sept. 29-30, together with Hungary's Katinka Hosszu and American star Franklin.

Ning, who claimed men's 100m freestyle title at the FINA World Championships in Kazan and became the first Chinese male to win in this sprint event at the worlds, revealed that he needs to prepare for the Military World Games in early October.

"It is my third time to compete in the FINA World Cup Beijing leg. I only compete in 50m butterfly because I need to save some energy for next month's Military World Games in South Korea. In fact, I was not in good shape after Kazan and I am still trying to recover my form," said the 22-year-old.

Katinka, who just swept eight titles in Hong Kong leg two days ago, will continue her full speed in Beijing by racing 11 events.

"I would definitely keep going and try to swim faster here in Beijing. I was really surprised what I did in Hong Kong. Yes, I will swim 11 events and I enjoy racing. Since I had won 200 and 400m individual medley in Kazan, I will continue to better my four strokes and prepare for the Rio Olympic Games by swimming many events," said the Iron Lady with a smile.

For Missy Franklin of the United States, it is her first Water Cube trip.

"I watched the Beijing Olympic Games at home from TV because I was just 13 years old. I always dream to swim in the Water Cube. I'm not in the good shape I want to be. We had two weeks off after Kazan worlds and I only came back training for a couple of weeks, It is just September, I will take World Cup as workout for the preparation for next years Olympic games," Franklin said.

The FINA 2015 World Cup in Beijing, which will be held in a 10-lane, 50m competition pool, have attracted more than 250 swimmers and coaches from 20 countries and regions. Endit