Gold medalist Li Bingjie (C) of China, silver medalist Dune Coetzee (L) of South Africa and bronze medalist Noemi Cesarano of Italy pose at the awarding ceremony for swimming women's 800m freestyle at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)
CHENGDU, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- China's swimmers added three more golds to the host nation's medal tally at the FISU World University Games here on Sunday.
Olympic champion Li Bingjie stormed to victory in the women's 800m freestyle, while world champion Qin Haiyang and Liu Yaxin each contributed one gold medal.
Li timed 8:30.74 to grab the gold. Dune Coetzee of South Africa ranked second in 8:32.88, while Italy's Noemi Cesarano came third in 8:33.12.
"I am tired today and I am not in good shape. However, I had a normal result. Compared to chasing the new record, I'd firstly like to secure my place," Li told Xinhua.
Liu, 25, clocked a time of 1:56.84 in the women's 200m freestyle, only 0.66 seconds slower than her personal best set in March. Guilia D'Innocenzo of Italy finished second in 1:58.69, and France's Oceane Carnez placed third in 1:59.73.
"I am satisfied with today's performance. Although the schedule was tight, I adjusted myself well. I only have one more competition, I will try my best to finish my Universiade campaign tomorrow," Liu said.
In the men's 50m breaststroke, Qin led after 10 meters and never looked back, touching the wall in 26.53. Ludovico Viberti and Alessandro Pinzuti finished second and third for Italy.
"I swam even slower than in the semifinal, but it's normal for me. After these days' competitions, I felt a little bit tired," Qin said after having swept all men's breaststroke golds at the FISU Games.
Elsewhere, Adela Piskorska of Poland touched home first in the women's 50m backstroke in 27.84, lowering the FISU record. Her compatriot Jakub Bartosz won the men's 100m butterfly in 51.41.
In Sunday's other events, Jackson Jones helped the United States win a ground-breaking gold in Chengdu's swimming pool after clocking 1:57.66 in the men's 200m backstroke, while Japan's line-up of Yanagimoto Konosuke, Imoto Ikki, Tearkado Genki and Kurokawa Shui finished first in 7:14.86 seconds in the men's 4x200m freestyle.
August 7 will be the final day of swimming competitions, with eight more gold medals to be awarded. ■
