Li matches men's 100m butterfly national record with world fastest time

Zhejiang swimmer Li Zhuhao, 16, timed 51.24 seconds to win the men's 100m butterfly at the Chinese National Championships here on Saturday.

Li's time matched the national record set by Zhou Jiawei in 2009 and ranked first in the world so far the year.

Zhang Qibin of Shandong clocked 52.34 to take second, also got an Olympic ticket as the A standard is 52.36. Zhou Jiawei ranked third in 52.44.

"I am happy to see that we have two swimmers reached the Olympic A standard in the men's 100m fly," said Chinese swimming team leader Xu Qi. "Before today, there was only one in the event qualified for the Olympics."

Zhejiang's Liu Yaxin came from behind to win the women's 200m backstroke in 2:10.01, while Hubei's Chen Jie, who led the first 100m, took second in 2:10.29. Beijing's Cheng Haihua ranked third in 2:11.73.

Bayi's Zhang Yuhan won the women's 800m freestyle in 8:24.04, and the silver went to Xin Xin of Shandong in 8:25.16. You Yawen of Liaoning came third in 8:26.76.

Guangdong native Yu Hexin finished a sprint double as the 100m free winner timed 22.16 to win the 50m. World champion Ning Zetao didn't take part in the event.

The podium was completed by Shi Yang, of Shanghai, on 22.40, and Guo Wei, of Hebei, on 22.46.

The National Championships also serves as Olympic trials and will end on Sunday. Endi