Former world mark holder Qi Hui smashes Asian record to win women's 200m breaststroke

China's former world record holder Qi Hui broke Asian record to win the women's 200m breaststroke final at the Chinese National Games in Jinan on Thursday.


Qi Hui of People's Liberation Army (PLA) team competes during the swimming final of women's 200m breaststroke at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 22, 2009. Qi won the gold with 2 minutes and 21.37 seconds, and exceeded the Asian record of the event. (Xinhua/Fan Jun)
Qi, two-time Asian winner and national champion, chalked up 2:21.37 to beat Japanese swimmer Nanaka Tamura's record of 2:22.83 set at the Rome World Championships in July.


Qi Hui of People's Liberation Army (PLA) team competes during the swimming final of women's 200m breaststroke at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan.
Ji Liping from Shanghai swam 2:23.83 to pocket a silver with Zhao Jing from Shanxi province winning bronze in 2:24.29.

It was her third gold at the on-going National Games slated for Oct. 16-28, following her victories in the 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley finals.


Qi Hui of People's Liberation Army (PLA) team celebrates after winning the swimming final of women's 200m breaststroke at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Chen Kai)
It is the veteran's fourth National Games tour. Four years ago, she seized four gold medals at the 10th National Games.


Qi Hui of People's Liberation Army (PLA) team salutes during the awarding ceremony for swimming final of women's 200m breaststroke at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Chen Kai)
In her Olympic debut in Sydney, Qi smashed the then women's 200m breaststroke world record in the semifinal, and finished fourth of the event.

Source: Xinhua