Pang Jiaying, 27, women's 200m free bronze medalist in 2008 Olympics and also Olympian in 2012 London Games, said she is going to retire next year after national games. As the oldest team member in Chinese women team (Chen Zuo is the oldest on the men's side at 30 and retiring soon), she recently won a 4x200 free bronze at short course Worlds in Instanbul with her younger team mates.
Pang said,"I competed in 4 editions of World short course championships but I still can't race well in short course pool due to my poor turning technique." Nevertheless, she is satisfied with her bronze in this edition. The most exciting experience for Pang is 2006 Worlds in Shanghai, which is also her hometown. She said," In front of my hometown, I also took bronze in 4x200m free like this year. I always feel more confident in front of the home crowd, just like Long Course Worlds last year. Our hometown is great in meet organization." She further mentioned,"I am also impressed with the Indianpolis short course Worlds in 2006 in which the organizer built a temporary pool in the NBA stadium."
It's worth to mention that she also trains with Tang Yi, 100m free bronze medalist at London Olympics in 2012. As a senior, she used to offer a lot of help and advice to her younger team mate such as urging Tang to turn in as it gets late. She said,"I am like witnessing her rise. We get along quite well. When she started joining our team, I think she is such a cute innocent girl. As for now, I can sense she grows up a lot over the years and she knows how to manage herself quite well. Now, she wouldn't get as moody in the training as our coach, Pang Jiazhang, always keeps the communication going. She is also getter maturer in handling her life and controlling her emotions."
On coach Pang, she laughed, "My coach has been with me for 14 years. Not only me, but the whole team has the deepest respect for him. Whenever he stands on the poolside, no one dares to slack." As what Pang Jiaying described, coach Pang is more like a stern father to the team and she said jokingly that her younger team mate, Pu Wenjie, is afraid of him "to the death".
She elaborated,"As I get older, coach Pang is not as stern in my training nowadays. We both have experienced a lot, no matter it is sweet or bitter memory and with all the stories we've been through, I know there is a deep bond between both of us. In 2008 Beijing Olympics, I won 200m free bronze. As I know my coach quite well over the years, he is not an articulate but rather introvert person. After medal ceremony, I remembered he all the sudden gave me a big hug which really took me by surprise but I fully, 100% understand his intention, which includes his satisfaction of my results, his understanding of my efforts and inputs that finally paid off and ... a whole lot... But I didn't cry on the scene."
Pang confessed at the end,"National Games next year will be the last competition of my swimming career. As always, My goal is gold medal for sure and I hope I can win as many gold medals as I can to fulfil my last swimming goal to the fullest."
Friday, December 28, 2012
Chinese Winter Nationals Day 4
Qingdao, Shandong
On the last day of the competition, only the champions were found without men's 50m free result. In men's 200m IM, Zhejiang's Shi Yi topped at 2:01.37. Women version was won by Zhou Min of Shanghai team at 2:13.70. Zhou had already took 400m IM on day 1. Zheng Kaimin from Shangdong team took the men's 1500m free in 15:20.23. These times are considered quite fast in such a low key meet in the absence of all the big guns. The last domestic competition in 2012 concluded. Next, Chinese team will race against Australia and South Africa in January, featuring Ye Shiwen. There will also be low-key national meet early next year before the 1st Chinese nationals, which is normally scheduled in April.
On the last day of the competition, only the champions were found without men's 50m free result. In men's 200m IM, Zhejiang's Shi Yi topped at 2:01.37. Women version was won by Zhou Min of Shanghai team at 2:13.70. Zhou had already took 400m IM on day 1. Zheng Kaimin from Shangdong team took the men's 1500m free in 15:20.23. These times are considered quite fast in such a low key meet in the absence of all the big guns. The last domestic competition in 2012 concluded. Next, Chinese team will race against Australia and South Africa in January, featuring Ye Shiwen. There will also be low-key national meet early next year before the 1st Chinese nationals, which is normally scheduled in April.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Chinese Winter Nationals Day 3
Qingdao, Shandong Province
After winning 100m fly on day 1, Zhang Qibin took the men's 100m free in 50.03, pretty good swim for Chinese men. Jiang Yuhui, already a double champion in 200m/400m free, took 3rd (50.66), in front of Xu Qiheng (50.42) in 2nd position. 400m IM specialist, Li Xiang won men's 200m fly in slow 2:00.42 but good enough to fend off Wei Haobo (2:00.59) and Xu Zhijie (2:00.85). China appears to lack a new wave of 200m fly swimmers to pass the baton to after Wu Peng (25 years old) and Chen Yin (26 years old), who have been the Chinese men's 200m fly medalists/finalists in the major meets for the last 8 years. National record holder in men's 100m breaststroke, Xie Zhi, won 200m title in 2:14.74. On women's side, Youth Olympic champion in 2010, Liu Lan won women's 100m fly in 59.71, more than a second over Zhou Min, who won 400m IM on day 1. 100m breaststroke was unimpressed when the winning time was only 1:11.46 by Liu Siwen. This reflects the current status of women's breaststroke in China and breaststroke has been the weakest link this year which was magnified in Olympics. China has pretty strong backstroke leg (Zhao Jing, 5th), butterfly leg (Lu Ying, silver) and freestyle leg (Tang Yi, bronze) but with no finalist in 100m breastroke. The level all the sudden dropped so much when Ji Liping was still a bronze medalist in Worlds last year. Breaststroke seems to be one of the life lines for China to medal in relay. In 2009 Worlds, Chen Huijia's stunning 1:04 breaststroke leg was the key of their success when none of the relay team members medalled in the individual events. As their freestyle picks up, they also need to take some care of their breaststroke. In women's 400m free, it was another tussle between Cao Yue and Pang Wenxian after 200m and 800m free yesterday. Cao from Shanxi province had the last laugh to snatch the title at a fine 4:09.02, 0.13 faster than Pang. Zhang Yuhan was distant 3rd. Cao has medalled in all events from 100m to 800m free. It also seems that Shanxi province, really picks up in swimming. For the last couple of years, they only produced national champions like Xue Ruipeng and Zhao Jin, both breastroke swimmers.
Men
100m freestyle
1. Zhang Qibin (Shandong Province) 00 minute 50.03 second
2. Xu Qiheng (Jiangsu Province) 00:50.42
3. Jiang Yuhui (Shanghai) 00:50.66
200m butterfly
1. Li Xiang (Tianjin) 2:00.42
2. Wei Haobo (Shanxi Province) 2:00.59
3. Xu Zhijie (Shanghai) 2:00.85
200m breaststroke
1. Xie Zhi (Yunan Province) 2:14.74
2. Ma Junjie (Guangdong Province) 2:15.22
3. Yan Zibei (Hubei Province) 2:16.62
Women
100m butterfly
1. Liu Lan (Bayi) 00:59.71
2. Zhou Min (Shanghai) 1:01.04
3. Zhang Sishi (Shanghai) 1:01.47
100m breaststroke
1. Liu Siwen (Beijing) 1:11.46
2. Li Qing (Guangdong Province) 1:11.69
3. Chen Qian (Sichuan Province) 1:12.05
400m freestyle
1. Cao Yue (Shanxi Province) 4:09.02
2. Pang Wenxian (Tianjin) 4:09.15
3. Zhang Yuhan (Bayi) 4:11.09
After winning 100m fly on day 1, Zhang Qibin took the men's 100m free in 50.03, pretty good swim for Chinese men. Jiang Yuhui, already a double champion in 200m/400m free, took 3rd (50.66), in front of Xu Qiheng (50.42) in 2nd position. 400m IM specialist, Li Xiang won men's 200m fly in slow 2:00.42 but good enough to fend off Wei Haobo (2:00.59) and Xu Zhijie (2:00.85). China appears to lack a new wave of 200m fly swimmers to pass the baton to after Wu Peng (25 years old) and Chen Yin (26 years old), who have been the Chinese men's 200m fly medalists/finalists in the major meets for the last 8 years. National record holder in men's 100m breaststroke, Xie Zhi, won 200m title in 2:14.74. On women's side, Youth Olympic champion in 2010, Liu Lan won women's 100m fly in 59.71, more than a second over Zhou Min, who won 400m IM on day 1. 100m breaststroke was unimpressed when the winning time was only 1:11.46 by Liu Siwen. This reflects the current status of women's breaststroke in China and breaststroke has been the weakest link this year which was magnified in Olympics. China has pretty strong backstroke leg (Zhao Jing, 5th), butterfly leg (Lu Ying, silver) and freestyle leg (Tang Yi, bronze) but with no finalist in 100m breastroke. The level all the sudden dropped so much when Ji Liping was still a bronze medalist in Worlds last year. Breaststroke seems to be one of the life lines for China to medal in relay. In 2009 Worlds, Chen Huijia's stunning 1:04 breaststroke leg was the key of their success when none of the relay team members medalled in the individual events. As their freestyle picks up, they also need to take some care of their breaststroke. In women's 400m free, it was another tussle between Cao Yue and Pang Wenxian after 200m and 800m free yesterday. Cao from Shanxi province had the last laugh to snatch the title at a fine 4:09.02, 0.13 faster than Pang. Zhang Yuhan was distant 3rd. Cao has medalled in all events from 100m to 800m free. It also seems that Shanxi province, really picks up in swimming. For the last couple of years, they only produced national champions like Xue Ruipeng and Zhao Jin, both breastroke swimmers.
Men
100m freestyle
1. Zhang Qibin (Shandong Province) 00 minute 50.03 second
2. Xu Qiheng (Jiangsu Province) 00:50.42
3. Jiang Yuhui (Shanghai) 00:50.66
200m butterfly
1. Li Xiang (Tianjin) 2:00.42
2. Wei Haobo (Shanxi Province) 2:00.59
3. Xu Zhijie (Shanghai) 2:00.85
200m breaststroke
1. Xie Zhi (Yunan Province) 2:14.74
2. Ma Junjie (Guangdong Province) 2:15.22
3. Yan Zibei (Hubei Province) 2:16.62
Women
100m butterfly
1. Liu Lan (Bayi) 00:59.71
2. Zhou Min (Shanghai) 1:01.04
3. Zhang Sishi (Shanghai) 1:01.47
100m breaststroke
1. Liu Siwen (Beijing) 1:11.46
2. Li Qing (Guangdong Province) 1:11.69
3. Chen Qian (Sichuan Province) 1:12.05
400m freestyle
1. Cao Yue (Shanxi Province) 4:09.02
2. Pang Wenxian (Tianjin) 4:09.15
3. Zhang Yuhan (Bayi) 4:11.09
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Chinese winter Nationals Day 2
Qingdao, Shandong Province
There were no exciting results on Day 2 winter Nationals but some of the big names were in action. Ma Xiang and Xie Zhi, national record holders in 100m breaststroke (1:00.73 in 2009), finished 1st and 2nd in the men's 100m breaststroke. Xie, 24 this year, has been one of the top breaststrokers in China since 2006 but never represent China in Olympics. His main result is 50m breaststroke champion in 2010 Asian Games where he beat Kosuke Kitajima in the process. Lin Yongqin and Lin Taiqi, both regular top 8 finishers in Nationals, finished 1st and 2nd with relatively slow times (2:01.23 vs. 2:02.17). Jiang Yuhui became double champion when he won 400m free in 3:54.37 over newcomers Dai Yang and Hong Jinlong, whose registered teams are popular in producing fine long distance free aces such as Chen Qian from Shangdong Province who holds Asian records in women's 400/800m free and Sun Yang from Zhejiang Province, Olympic champion in 400/1500m free. Already a 24.60 swimmer in short course this year, Zhang Ying won the national title in 25.70. Zhu Wenrui, from Shanxi Province, who seems to be same swimmer formerly registered under Tianjin and silver medalist in 400m free at 2006 Asian Games, came in distant 2nd at 26.05. Sprinter Yao Jianan was third. Luan Xiaoxuan won the women's 100m back in 1:01.72. More experienced Xutian Longzi was second in 1:02.04. Pang Wenxian and Cao Xue both medalled in women's 200m and 800m free. Cao Yue won 200m free in 1:59.26, the only sub-2:00 swim while Pang was 1:07s behind. Pang then took 800m free in fine 8:32.44 with Yang Siyu and Cao in 2nd and 3rd. Cao also medalled in 100m free on day 1.
Men
100m breaststroke
1. Ma Xiang (Tianjin) 1 minute 01.98 second
2. Xie Zhi (Yunnan Province) 1:02.16
3. Ma Junjie (Guangdong Province) 1:03.45
200m backstroke
1. Lin Yongqin (Liaoning Province) 2:01.23
2. Lin Taiqi (Fujian Province) 2:02.17
2. Yang Tinyu (Heilongjiang Province) 2:02.17
400m freestyle
1. Jiang Yuhui (Shanghai) 3:54.37
2. Dai Yang (Shandong Province) 3:56.04
3. Hong Jinlong (Zhejiang Province) 3:56.20
Women
50m freestyle
1. Zhang Ying (Guangdong Province) 00:25.70
2. Zhu Wenrui (Shanxi Province) 00:26.05
3. Yao Jianan (Guangzhou Military Region) 00:26.06
100m backstroke
1. Luan Xiaoxuan (Shandong Province) 1:01.72
2. Xu Tianlongzi (Bayi) 1:02.04
3. Wang Xueer (Guangdong Province) 1:02.82
200m breaststroke
1. Zhou Min (Shanghai) 2:31.58
2. Wu Qinhua (Shanghai) 2:32.65
3. Liu Siwen (Beijing) 2:34.68
200m freestyle
1. Cao Yue (Shanxi Province) 1:59.26
2. Pang Wenxian (Tianjin) 2:00.33
3. Wang Xinyu (Beijing) 2:00.56
800m freestyle
1. Pang Wenxian (Tianjin) 8:32.44
2. Yan Siyu (Bayi) 8:37.03
3. Cao Yue (Shanxi Province) 8:38.80
There were no exciting results on Day 2 winter Nationals but some of the big names were in action. Ma Xiang and Xie Zhi, national record holders in 100m breaststroke (1:00.73 in 2009), finished 1st and 2nd in the men's 100m breaststroke. Xie, 24 this year, has been one of the top breaststrokers in China since 2006 but never represent China in Olympics. His main result is 50m breaststroke champion in 2010 Asian Games where he beat Kosuke Kitajima in the process. Lin Yongqin and Lin Taiqi, both regular top 8 finishers in Nationals, finished 1st and 2nd with relatively slow times (2:01.23 vs. 2:02.17). Jiang Yuhui became double champion when he won 400m free in 3:54.37 over newcomers Dai Yang and Hong Jinlong, whose registered teams are popular in producing fine long distance free aces such as Chen Qian from Shangdong Province who holds Asian records in women's 400/800m free and Sun Yang from Zhejiang Province, Olympic champion in 400/1500m free. Already a 24.60 swimmer in short course this year, Zhang Ying won the national title in 25.70. Zhu Wenrui, from Shanxi Province, who seems to be same swimmer formerly registered under Tianjin and silver medalist in 400m free at 2006 Asian Games, came in distant 2nd at 26.05. Sprinter Yao Jianan was third. Luan Xiaoxuan won the women's 100m back in 1:01.72. More experienced Xutian Longzi was second in 1:02.04. Pang Wenxian and Cao Xue both medalled in women's 200m and 800m free. Cao Yue won 200m free in 1:59.26, the only sub-2:00 swim while Pang was 1:07s behind. Pang then took 800m free in fine 8:32.44 with Yang Siyu and Cao in 2nd and 3rd. Cao also medalled in 100m free on day 1.
Men
100m breaststroke
1. Ma Xiang (Tianjin) 1 minute 01.98 second
2. Xie Zhi (Yunnan Province) 1:02.16
3. Ma Junjie (Guangdong Province) 1:03.45
200m backstroke
1. Lin Yongqin (Liaoning Province) 2:01.23
2. Lin Taiqi (Fujian Province) 2:02.17
2. Yang Tinyu (Heilongjiang Province) 2:02.17
400m freestyle
1. Jiang Yuhui (Shanghai) 3:54.37
2. Dai Yang (Shandong Province) 3:56.04
3. Hong Jinlong (Zhejiang Province) 3:56.20
Women
50m freestyle
1. Zhang Ying (Guangdong Province) 00:25.70
2. Zhu Wenrui (Shanxi Province) 00:26.05
3. Yao Jianan (Guangzhou Military Region) 00:26.06
100m backstroke
1. Luan Xiaoxuan (Shandong Province) 1:01.72
2. Xu Tianlongzi (Bayi) 1:02.04
3. Wang Xueer (Guangdong Province) 1:02.82
200m breaststroke
1. Zhou Min (Shanghai) 2:31.58
2. Wu Qinhua (Shanghai) 2:32.65
3. Liu Siwen (Beijing) 2:34.68
200m freestyle
1. Cao Yue (Shanxi Province) 1:59.26
2. Pang Wenxian (Tianjin) 2:00.33
3. Wang Xinyu (Beijing) 2:00.56
800m freestyle
1. Pang Wenxian (Tianjin) 8:32.44
2. Yan Siyu (Bayi) 8:37.03
3. Cao Yue (Shanxi Province) 8:38.80
Monday, December 24, 2012
Chinese winter long course championships: Day 1
Qingdao, Shandong (24/12/2012)
While all the Chinese Olympic medalists skipped this meet right at the end of the year, Some up and coming swimmers are in aciton. Zhang Qibin, who had several wins in recent world cup, won easily in men's 100 fly at a modest 53.47. Jiang Yuhui, one of the main 200m freestyler in Chinese team, got the win over up and coming Bian Shaoqi from Sichuan province. Having been in Chinese top 5, Li Xiang from Tianjin won men's 400m IM at 4:18.61, about 4 seconds off his PB, in the absence of his main competitors like Huang Chaosheng, Yang Zhixian and Wang Shun. The win was not handy as a Zhejiang newcomer, Shi Yi, was only 9/100 second behind Li. Zhang Jiaqi, who has been competiting in national and world cup stages, won her 1st national champion in women's 100m free at 55.42. The traditional powerhouse of the event, Shanghai swimmers, however, were not in top 3 but their women swept wins from the remaining events, 200m fly and 400m IM. Among them, Zhou Min, who was 3rd in April Nationals behind Olympic champion Ye Shiwen and bronze medalist, Li Xuanxu, was runner-up in 200m fly and then came back to win 400m IM. Surprisingly, Zhou Lili, a long distance free specialist and a 8th finisher in 400m free in recent short course Worlds, won the women's 200m fly. This meet serves as a qualifying competition for National Games next year
Men
100m butterfly
1. Zhang Qibin (Shandong Province) 53.47 seconds
2. Ning Zeshou (Navy of PRC) 54.19
3. Wang Yuxi (Shandong Province) 54.36
200m freestyle
1. Jiang Yuhui (Shanghai) 1 minute 49.85 seconds
2. Bian Shaoqin (Sichuan Province) 01:50.51
3. Zhang Jie (Shanghai) 01:51.09
400m individual medley
1. Li Xiang (Tianjin) 04:18.61
2. Shi Yi (Zhejiang Province) 04:18.70
3. Sun Yunchao (Shanghai) 04:24.58
Women
100m freestyle
Zhang Jiaqi (Beijing) 55.42 seconds
Cao Yue (Shanxi) 55.61
Zhang Ying (Guangdong) 56.15
200m butterfly
1. Zhou Lili (Shanghai) 02:12.10
2. Zhou Min (Shanghai) 02:12.61
3. Jiang Yue (Navy of PRC) 02:14.29
400m individual medley
Zhou Min (Shanghai) 04:42.77
Pang Wenxian (Tianjin) 04:45.22
Luo Xiaomei (Hunan) 04:48.47
While all the Chinese Olympic medalists skipped this meet right at the end of the year, Some up and coming swimmers are in aciton. Zhang Qibin, who had several wins in recent world cup, won easily in men's 100 fly at a modest 53.47. Jiang Yuhui, one of the main 200m freestyler in Chinese team, got the win over up and coming Bian Shaoqi from Sichuan province. Having been in Chinese top 5, Li Xiang from Tianjin won men's 400m IM at 4:18.61, about 4 seconds off his PB, in the absence of his main competitors like Huang Chaosheng, Yang Zhixian and Wang Shun. The win was not handy as a Zhejiang newcomer, Shi Yi, was only 9/100 second behind Li. Zhang Jiaqi, who has been competiting in national and world cup stages, won her 1st national champion in women's 100m free at 55.42. The traditional powerhouse of the event, Shanghai swimmers, however, were not in top 3 but their women swept wins from the remaining events, 200m fly and 400m IM. Among them, Zhou Min, who was 3rd in April Nationals behind Olympic champion Ye Shiwen and bronze medalist, Li Xuanxu, was runner-up in 200m fly and then came back to win 400m IM. Surprisingly, Zhou Lili, a long distance free specialist and a 8th finisher in 400m free in recent short course Worlds, won the women's 200m fly. This meet serves as a qualifying competition for National Games next year
Men
100m butterfly
1. Zhang Qibin (Shandong Province) 53.47 seconds
2. Ning Zeshou (Navy of PRC) 54.19
3. Wang Yuxi (Shandong Province) 54.36
200m freestyle
1. Jiang Yuhui (Shanghai) 1 minute 49.85 seconds
2. Bian Shaoqin (Sichuan Province) 01:50.51
3. Zhang Jie (Shanghai) 01:51.09
400m individual medley
1. Li Xiang (Tianjin) 04:18.61
2. Shi Yi (Zhejiang Province) 04:18.70
3. Sun Yunchao (Shanghai) 04:24.58
Women
100m freestyle
Zhang Jiaqi (Beijing) 55.42 seconds
Cao Yue (Shanxi) 55.61
Zhang Ying (Guangdong) 56.15
200m butterfly
1. Zhou Lili (Shanghai) 02:12.10
2. Zhou Min (Shanghai) 02:12.61
3. Jiang Yue (Navy of PRC) 02:14.29
400m individual medley
Zhou Min (Shanghai) 04:42.77
Pang Wenxian (Tianjin) 04:45.22
Luo Xiaomei (Hunan) 04:48.47
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