China's Yang Peiqi secures triple gold at World Junior Swimming Championships

BUCHAREST -- Eighteen-year-old Yang Peiqi of China claimed three gold medals, setting a meet record to win the women's 400m freestyle at the World Junior Swimming Championships held at the Otopeni Olympic Swimming Complex here on Friday.

Yang held third place for much of the race before surging in the final 100 meters, finishing with a meet record time of four minutes 5.38 seconds to capture the gold.

Her 15-year-old teammate Yan Tiaoshan also made a strong late push in the last 50 meters, securing a one-two finish for China in the event.

"It was not my personal best. However, following the Singapore World Championships and Junior Worlds within 20 days. I regard this Junior Worlds as part of my training. I was exhausted but pleased with the victory," said Yang, who also won the women's 4x200m freestyle relay and 800m freestyle.

"Compared to other young teammates, I have more experience. I want to do my best to support and encourage the team," added Yang, who contributed to China's bronze medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay in Singapore and the gold in the same event at the Doha World Championships last year.

"I felt comfortable swimming alongside my teammate Yan Tiaoshan and standing side by side on the podium," Yang said. She is scheduled to compete in the women's 200m freestyle on Sunday.

British swimmer Filip Nowacki achieved a breaststroke double, winning the 200m breaststroke in a meet record of 2:07.32 following his victory in the 100m breaststroke. Nikita Sheremet of Ukraine claimed gold in the men's 50m freestyle in 21.99 seconds. New Zealand's Zoe Pedersen won her first world junior title in the women's 50m butterfly, clocking 25.63 seconds.

Daniele Del Signore and Georgii Iakovlev tied for first place in the men's 50m backstroke at 24.9 seconds, while Smilte Plytnykaite of Lithuania captured gold in the women's 100m breaststroke in 1:06.86.

The six-day competition, which concludes Sunday, has attracted about 900 swimmers from 121 countries and regions.