Sun Yang comes back to qualify for 200m free final at worlds

Sun Yang of China competes in the men's 200m freestyle semifinal at the 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, July 24, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

BUDAPEST - Chinese swimmer Sun Yang made a strong comeback to finish third in men's 200m freestyle semifinals and secured a final spot at the 17th FINA World Championships on Monday.

Two championships records were shattered, by Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom in women's 100m butterfly and Britain's Adam Peaty in men's 100m breaststroke, respectively.

Sun, who won three 400m freestyle title in a row on Sunday, was restrained to the final position after first two laps, before he came back to finish second in his group and third overall with 1 minute and 45.24 seconds.

"I didn't expect that my opponents swam so fast, and they built a one-second lead after 100 meters," commented Sun.

Sun is expected to face physical challenge on Tuesday as he will compete in 800m free heat in the morning, then the 200m free final in the evening.

Xu Jiayu, who finished just one hundredth second shy of the world record at the National Championships this April, continued his in-form performance in men's 100m backstroke semifinals to sit atop with 52.44 seconds.

"I didn't want to give myself too much pressure before the contest, and just aimed at a better personal record," Xu pointed out.

Another Chinese swimmer Li Guangyuan failed to secure a berth in the final after losing the playoffs to Russia's Kliment Kolesnikov.