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National Games: ‘prehistoric’ Fu Yuanhui advances to the semi-finals of 100m backstroke

  • The 25-year-old Fu makes fun of her age after winning her qualifying heat in the 100m backstroke

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China’s Fu Yuanhui is in the semi-final of the 100m backstroke at the National Games of China. Photo: AFP
Fu Yuanhui re-emerged at the National Games of China on Monday to cruise into the semi-finals of her preferred 100-metre backstroke event, but revealed she has no expectation of medalling at the Olympic Sports Centre in Xian.
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Fu, a bronze medallist in the 100m back at the Rio Games in 2016 was a surprise absentee from the China team for the Tokyo 2020 Games – she was disqualified in the semi-final of the Olympic qualifiers in May, and failed to show up to compete at a last-ditch qualifier event a few weeks later.

She qualified for tonight’s semi-final in a time of one minute, 0.66 seconds, just over a second outside her national record personal best of 58.72.

Fu, a Hangzhou native, revealed she is determined to qualify to represent China at next year’s Asian Games, which will be held in her hometown.

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After her heat, Fu poked fun at her age as she revealed she has no target at the National Games, her fourth, and possibly final, outing.

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