2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Chinese backstroker Xu Jiayu made history for his country on Tuesday night with his performance in the men’s 100 back final. Though he wasn’t able to match his near World Record performance from Chinese Nationals, he took off with a 25.12 opening split and held off the Americans for gold with his 52.44. With that, he became the first Chinese man ever to win a gold medal in the men’s 100 back at long course World Championships.

Jiayu topped a talented field, as 2012 Olympic champion Matt Grevers took silver and World Record holder Ryan Murphy took bronze. Earlier this season, Xu was just a hundredths shy of Murphy’s World Record, puting up a 51.86 to become the fastest man of 2017.

We haven’t seen an Asian medalist in this event at the World Championships since 2011, when Japan’s Ryosuke Irie earned bronze. Tonight, Irie finished just off the podium in 4th with a 53.02. Xu will compete for a chance to sweep the backstroke golds, as he’ll be competing in the 50 back and 200 back later on. He’s currently the 2nd fastest man in the world in the 50 back and the 2nd fastest man of 2017 in the 200 back.

DAY 3 RECORDS – ASIA:

DAY 3 SWIMMING MEDAL TABLE – ASIA: