World University Games: Zhang Yufei Destroys Longstanding Record in 50 Freestyle
The final day of competition at the World University Games in Chengdu offered China’s Zhang Yufei the opportunity to add to her collection of titles on home turf. The schedule saw Zhang opening the evening’s slate with the 50-meter freestyle, followed by duty in the 400 medley relay at the close of the evening.
Here is what unfolded on the last night of action:
Women’s 50 Freestyle (Final)
As expected, Zhang Yufei zoomed to the gold medal in the one-lap sprint, and she did so in style. Coming off a silver medal in the event at the World Championships in Fukuoka, Zhang claimed the title in the 50 freestyle in a World University Games record of 24.29. That performance blew away the 10-year-old standard of 24.48, set in 2013 by Belarus’ Aliaksandra Herasimenia. The gold complemented previous individual crowns by Zhang in the 100 freestyle, 50 butterfly and 100 butterfly.
South Africa’s Erin Gallagher claimed the silver medal behind a swim of 25.05 while Cypress’ Kalia Antoniou was the bronze medalist in 25.11.
Men’s 50 Freestyle (Final)
Italy’s Giovanni Izzo registered a convincing triumph in the final of the 50 free, as his time of 22.17 was well clear of silver medalist Lucas Martins Costa Peixoto, who touched the wall in 22.38. The bronze medal went to Lithuania’s Jokubas Keblys in 22.39.
Women’s 50 Breaststroke (Final)
Lithuania’s Kotryna Teterevkova completed her sweep of the breaststroke events with gold in the 50 distance. Teterevkova was never challenged while producing a mark of 30.58, which was nearly a half-second up on the silver-medal time of Poland’s Dominika Sztandera, who touched in 31.02. Rounding out the podium was Brazil’s Jhennifer Alves da Conceicao, who clocked a 31.11.
