China's backstroke specialist Xu Jiayu won the men's 200-meter back with a world third fastest time at the National Swimming Championships here on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old Xu, runner-up in the 100m back at the Asian Games last year, clocked one minute 56.26 seconds to win his second gold medal at the Nationals, which also serves as a qualifier for the Kazan Worlds in July. Li Guangyuan of Zhejiang came second in 1:58.05, while Diao Jigong of Chinese Navy placed third in 1:59.42.

Japan's Olympic champion Ryosuke Irie is the hot favorite of the event at the Worlds, but Xu could be a medal hope for China.

"It's not my best time," said Xu, who was fifth on the 100m back world ranks. "I must improve some details and try to be back to my top form. And I hope I can put on some weight."

Jiangsu's Shi Jinglin won the women's 200m breaststroke in 2:22.08, a world fourth fastest time so far this year. Shanxi's He Yun trailed in 2:28.20, while Henan's Zhang Xinyu was third in 2:28.34.

The men's 200m breast was dominated by Tianjin swimmer Li Xiang, who clocked in 2:10.59, ahead of Zhejiang's Mao Feilian, 2:10.77, and Hubei's Yan Zibei, 2:13.34.

Asian champion Shen Duo won the women's 100m free in 54.31. Zhejiang swimmer Zhu Menghui came second in 54.55, while Beijing's Fang Yi ranked third in 55.08.

Team Zhejiang grabbed the men's 4x200m freestyle relay in 7:20.10, ahead of Henan, 7:20.64, and Shanghai, 7:21.06.

Also on Tuesday, Fu Yuanhui topped the women's 200m back semis in 2:12.02 with an injured right foot. "I almost cried after the semi," said Fu. "My foot hurts so much."

Ning Zetao led the men's 50m free semis in 22.30.

"Ning is not competitive in the 50m free in the world," said his coach Ye Jin. "There are so many good swimmers competing in the event. We will put our focus on the 100m free." Endi

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