Li Zhuhao sets new world junior record at FINA World Cup in Beijing

The 16-year-old Li Zhuhao of China renewed a world junior record in the men's 50 meters butterfly as the Chinese swimmers snatched five golds at the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup 2015 in the National Aquatic Center (Water Cube) here on Tuesday.

Li, who broke the world junior record in the 200 meters butterfly at the Chinese National Swimming Championships in early September in 1:55.92, continued his winning form in the 50m butterfly 23.39, beating the previous world junior record 23.61. Xu Jiayu and Kazan 100m freestyle world champion Ning Zeton came to second and third 23.66 and 24.09, respectively.

"It is my third meet within two months after the World Championships in Kazan and our national championships three weeks ago. I did not expect to win this gold medal and to break the record," said Li, who under the same coach Xu Guoyi together with Olympic and world champion Ye Shiwen and backstroker Xu Jiayu.

"I take the World Cup as preparation for next month's National Youth Games. I wish I can improve myself and become stronger in the Rio Olympic Games," Li said.

Ning was happy with the bronze medal. "After the Kazan World Championships, I was sick for a couple of weeks and not in good shape. I had competed in the national championships early this month. I just tried to get the race pace to prepare for the Military World Games next month in South Korea. A bronze today is good enough for me," Ning said.

In other four events taken by Chinese swimmers, Shen Duo, 6 gold medalist at Youth Olympic Games, snatched the title in women's 200m freestyle 1:56.47. World champion Fu Yuanhui beat Emily Seebohm of Australia to win the gold in women's 50m backstroke 27.55. Mao Feilian edged Cameron Ban Der Burgh of South Africa in the men's 200m breaststroke in 2:10.95. The 16-year-old Wang Guoyue lift the women's 800m freestyle title in 8:37.38.

Iron Lady Katinka Hosszu tasted victory in her favorite 200m individual medley in 2:10.44. She also had silvers in 200m, 800m freestyle and 200m backstroke, a bronze in 50m backstroke, 5th in 50m backstroke, 8th in 100m butterfly.

"I am tired but I am happy with what I did in the 200m IM, 200, 800 free and 200 backstroke. It is just high quality training for me. I am used to compete in many events. I love racing," Hosszu said.

Cate and Bronte Campbell of Australia again claimed a one-two finish in the women's 50m freestyle in 24.30 and 24.53. Zhu Menghui of China came to third in 25.01.

"I'd always love to swim in the Water Cube. It is my most favorite swimming pool in the world. Every time I swim here I am happy. As today, I am satisfied with my result. The competition is tough as the Chinese young swimmer Zhu is very fast," Cate said.

Australian swimmers also won three gold medals as Emily Seebohm dominated the women's 200m backstroke in 2:09.22. Dan Smith won the men's 400m freestyle in 3:51.45, Ash Delaney of claimed victory in men's 100m backstroke 54.36.

In other events, Masato Saki of Japan snatched gold in men's 200m butterfly in 1:57.44, Jeanette Ottensen of Denmark touched home first in women's 100m butterfly 57.97, Alia Atkinson of Jamaica stormed 1:07.39 in women's 100m breaststroke, Katsumi Nakamura of Japan was the fastest in men's 100m freestyle 48.60, Van Der Burgh led the men's 50m breaststroke 27.03, David Verraszto of Hungary took the men's 400m individual medal in 4:16.36. Endi