TAIYUAN, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Breaststroker Yan Zibei stormed for a new national record in the men's 50m breaststroke, also the only new mark set at the Chinese National Swimming Championships here on Wednesday while Olympic champion Sun Yang overcame sore throat and fatigue to lift his fourth gold medal in the men's 1500m freestyle.
Yan, 100m breaststroke champion, led the 50m event in a time of 27.16 seconds, 0.09 faster than the previous national record. Sun Jiajun of Hubei came to second 27.71 and Wang Lizhuo of Chinese Navy third 27.77.
"I did not expect to break the national record, I just concentrated on the race. I was happy to be the only swimmer set a new national record in the six-day competition. It is not easy to swim a good result here since it is 800m plateau. I felt difficult to breath in the longer distance than 50 meters," Yan said.
Sun, who swept titles in 200m, 400m, 800m freestyle and a bronze medal in 100m, overcame physical difficulties to win the 1500m race in 15:04.92. Ji Xinjie and Cheng Long, both from Shandong, finished second and third, respectively.
"No one could compete from 100,200, 400, 800, 1500 freestyle in one meet. I did it! Especially I did it with the reaction of plateau, such as dryness, sore throat and fatigue. I felt proud of myself," Sun said with tears.
"It was a challenge and test for me that I finally overcame all those difficulties and all five races. It also brought me more confidence in the future. I will take good rest and set my next goal in the Asian Games in August," Sun said.
World bronze medalist Li Bingjie celebrated her individual champion in the women's 400m freestyle in 4:05.37, beating Wang Jianjiahe, champion of 800 and 1500, into second 4:06.97.
"I went to a new coach since the National Games last October, so I am still learning how to work with my new coach. Though I lost to Wang in the 800 and 1500, I believed in myself and did not lost my confidence," said the 16-year-old.
Asian record holder Liu Xiang failed to smash her own mark in the women's 50m freestyle and won in 24.55. Wu Qingfeng and Zhu Menghui finished second and third in 24.66 and 24.71.
"I should swim faster than that. I hope I can achieve my best form in the Asian Games," Liu said.
Zhou Min of Shanghai claimed victory in women's 200m individual medley 2:11.48 and team Chinese Navy dominated in the last race of the meet by winning men's 4X100m medley relay in 3:39.69.
The Chinese National Swimming Championships also serves as the Asian Games Trials for the Chinese swimmers.
