Liu Zige of China celebrates winning the women's 200 meters butterfly swimming final at the National Aquatics Center during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 14, 2008. Liu set a new world record, pocketing host China's first swimming gold at the Beijing Olympic Games. [Agencies]
Beijing - Twenty-year-old Chinese swimmer Liu Zige smashed Australian Jessicah Schipper's world record in the women's 200-meter butterfly Thursday, pocketing host China's first swimming gold at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Liu, who seemed to came out of nowhere, took the gold in a stunning two minutes and 04.18 seconds, chopping off Schipper's previous record by more than one second.
Her teammate Jiao Liuyang also beat Schipper in the last lap, finishing second in 2:04.72. Schipper was third in 2:06.26, well off her own best time.
Schipper led the race in the first 100 meters, but Liu overtook her after the 150-meter turn. Amid thundering roars from home fans, Liu stormed to touch first.
Liu, who entered the final as the fastest, swam side-by-side with Schipper. "I myself was shocked with the result. I think I really gave out all by best. I never though I could get a gold until l touched the wall," Liu said.
The Shanghai girl thanked her fans for their support. "The atmosphere of Water Cube is great. I could feel people's support, which made my very excited in the race."
Kosuke Kitajima of Japan holds up his gold medal after winning the men's 200 meters breaststroke swimming final at the National Aquatics Center during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 14, 2008. Kitajima became the first swimmer to claim both the 100 and 200 gold medals at consecutive games. [Agencies]
BEIJING - Kosuke Kitajima of Japan swept the breaststroke events in his second straight Olympics on Thursday, winning the 200-meter race at the Beijing Games.
Kitajima became the first swimmer to claim both the 100 and 200 gold medals at consecutive games.
With rival Brendan Hansen not even in the field - the American failed to qualify for the event at the U.S. trials - Kitajima was an overwhelming favorite. He lived up to the billing, winning easily in 2 minutes, 7;64 seconds.
Kitajima came up 0.13 short of his own world record, set in June, but finished a half-body length ahead of silver medalist Brenton Rickard of Australia (2:08.88) to match his two breaststroke golds in Athens four years ago. Hugues Duboscq of France claimed the bronze in 2:08.94.
Liu Zige (R) of China celebrates with Jiao Liuyang (L) winning the women's 200 meters butterfly final at the National Aquatics Center during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Augst 14, 2008. Liu set a new world record, pocketing host China's first swimming gold at the Games. Her fellow Jiao Liuyang won the silver medal. [Sohu.com]
Kosuke Kitajima of Japan reacts after winning the gold medal in the men's 200 meters breaststroke swimming final at the National Aquatics Center during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 14, 2008. Kitajima became the first swimmer to claim both the 100 and 200 gold medals at consecutive games. [Agencies]
Liu Zige (front) of China swims in the women's 200 meters butterfly final at the National Aquatics Center during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 14, 2008. Liu set a new world record, pocketing host China's first swimming gold at the Beijing Olympic Games. [Agencies]
Japan's Kosuke Kitajima stands on the podium of the men's 200m breaststroke swimming medal ceremony at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 14, 2008. Kitajima became the first swimmer to claim both the 100 and 200 gold medals at consecutive games. [Agencies]
Gold medalist China's Liu Zige (R) and silver medalist Jiao Liuyang of China stand on the podium for the women's 200m butterfly swimming medal ceremony at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 14, 2008. Liu set a new world record, pocketing host China's first swimming gold at the Beijing Olympic Games. [Agencies]
Kosuke Kitajima of Japan celebrates winning his 200m men's breaststroke swimming final during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Aquatics Centre, August 14, 2008. Kitajima became the first swimmer to claim both the 100 and 200 gold medals at consecutive games. [Agencies]
Liu Zige of China celebrates in the Chinese national flag winning the women's 200 meters butterfly swimming final at the National Aquatics Center during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 14, 2008. Liu set a new world record, pocketing host China's first swimming gold at the Beijing Olympic Games. [Sohu.com]
Gold medalist China's Liu Zige (C), silver medalist Jiao Liuyang (R) of China and bronze medalist Australia's Jessicah Schipper hold their medals for women's 200m butterfly swimming medal ceremony at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 14, 2008. Liu set a new world record, pocketing host China's first swimming gold at the Beijing Olympic Games. [Agencies]
