Kyle Chalmers and Jack Alexy Tie in 100 Freestyle at China Open
There has been no shortage of entertainment at the China Open in Shenzhen, highlighted by Cam McEvoy’s world record in the 50-meter freestyle on Friday night. And during Saturday’s finals, two of the sport’s premier sprinters treated those in attendance to a tie in the 100 freestyle.
Opening the third session of finals, Australia’s Kyle Chalmers and American Jack Alexy posted matching times of 47.70 for the 100 free, with Chalmers rallying down the stretch to earn a piece of the title. Alexy bolted to the lead off the start and made the turn in front, thanks to a split of 22.60, compared to the 22.94 of Chalmers. As expected, however, Chalmers used his finishing power to draw even, a 24.76 homecoming effort topping the 25.10 of Alexy. Third place went to reigning Olympic champ Pan Zhanle of China in 48.05.
Unfortunately, there will not be a rematch later this summer between Chalmers and Alexy, as the Aussie recently indicated that he will focus on the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and not take part in the Pan Pacific Championships. The 2016 Olympic champ in the 100 freestyle and a three-time Olympic medalist in the event, Chalmers is the defending Commonwealth Games champ in his prime event.
China’s 13-year-old phenom Yu Zidi secured her second victory of the meet by defeating the field in the 400 individual medley. Complementing her earlier win in the 200 butterfly, Yu clocked a personal best of 4:33.33 to get to the wall in front of countrywoman Ke Wenxi (4:34.91). Yu has the 200 IM on her schedule for Sunday, an event in which she owns the Asian record.
Coming off an Asian record in the 50 breaststroke earlier in the meet, China’s Tang Qianting won the 100 breaststroke in 1:05.91, followed by the United States’ Kate Douglass in 1:06.49. Tang was more than a second faster than Douglass on the outgoing lap, an edge she needed to hold off the American, who is the Olympic champ in the 200 breaststroke.
Switzerland’s Noe Ponti roared back from sixth at the halfway point to grab victory in the 100 butterfly. Ponti checked in with a time of 51.01, which was .42 faster than the mark produced by Italian Thomas Ceccon for second place. Ceccon has registered three runnerup finishes during competition at the China Open. The Netherlands’ Arno Kamminga won the 200 breaststroke in 2:10.98.
More to come…
