Liu Xiang of China celebrates after the women's 50m backstroke final of FINA Champions Swim Series 2020 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, Jan. 15, 2020. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)
Chinese swimmer Liu Xiang gets confidence boost from FINA Champions Swim Series.
SHENZHEN, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- As a sprinter and world record holder in the women's 50 backstroke, Liu Xiang says she enjoyed the FINA Champions Swim Series and says it gave her confidence ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games after she equaled her own Asian record in the women's 50m freestyle.
"I did not expect to win even though I hold the world record. I train freestyle most of the time, since there is no 50m back race in the Olympic Games. For that reason, I did not compete in the 50m back at the FINA World Championships in Gwangju. I am glad that my backstroke performance is still in good shape. It is a good start to the year," said the 23-year-old.
Liu Xiang of China is seen after the women's 50m freestyle semifinal at FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, on July 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang)
Liu tied for the bronze medal in 50m back at the 2015 Kazan Worlds, smashed the Asian record in the women's 50m freestyle in 2017 and the best global mark in 50m back at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. She was the first female swimmer to break the 27-second barrier in the event.
"The reason I like the one-final competition format because it is full of surprises and breathtaking excitement. For us, the 50m races only allow one or two breaths. Everything must be done perfectly, without any error, and we have to give it all. We have to be 100 percent concentrated."
Liu continued to tie her Asian record in 50m freestyle in 24.04 on Jan. 15, the second session of the meet in Shenzhen.
"I got a cold after I arrived here three days ago, so I did not expect to win with a time equaling my personal best, the Asian record I set in 2018 Jakarta Asian Games," said Liu.
Liu Xiang of China attends the press conference for the new FINA Champions Swim Series in Guangzhou, China on April 26, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
Liu also explained that her form came mainly from physical improvements. "As I am not so strong physically, my coach always tries to improve my physical strength, especially on my core and legs. I was weak in the leg section and always the slowest one in my team, both in running or kicking sessions in the water. Starting from this winter, I have made some progress on the dry-land training. I hope it can improve my speed in the water."
"I was once disappointed and self-doubt after I lost in the rematch of the semifinals and missed the final at Gwangju World Championships last year. Now with the encouraging results here in Shenzhen, my confidence is back," Liu smiled.
"I hope I can make the team to Tokyo and try my best in my first Olympic Games," Liu said.
Liu will compete in the second leg of the FINA Champions Swim Series in Beijing from January 18-19. ■
