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China’s Ning Zetao, who has served a drug ban, was the shock winner of the men’s 100m freestyle gold at the world swimming championships in Kazan, Russia, on Thursday as Australia’s Cameron McEvoy had to settle for silver.
Ning touched the wall in 47.84 seconds as McEvoy, who had been fastest in the heats and semi-finals, finished 0.11 seconds behind with Argentina’s Federico Grabich earning bronze at 0.28.
Olympic champion Nathan Adrian of the United States finished seventh 0.47 back.
Teenager Fu Yuanhui made it another gold for China when she won the women’s 50m backstroke gold.
Ning was banned for a year after failing a doping test in March 2011 for taking the performance-enhancing drug clenbuterol, but he was delighted with his first world title.
So far I don’t understand what is going on, I can’t describe my feelings
Ning Zetao
“So far I don’t understand what is going on, I can’t describe my feelings,” said the 22-year-old, who saluted his country’s flag during the medal ceremony.
“Before the race, I didn’t even think about a medal, I just wanted to show my best.
“Just getting to the final was a big achievement, but it’s too early to think about Rio,” he added when asked about next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
He has won his first world title having picked up gold in the 50m and 100m freestyle at last year’s Asian Games.
McEvoy was delighted with his first individual medal at a world championships, having won a 4x100m freestyle relay silver in 2013.
“It’s exciting, it puts me in a good position for the year to come,” said the 21-year-old after compatriot James Magnussen, the 2013 world champion, was ruled out of Kazan with a shoulder injury.
“I can’t be disappointed with the placing, it’s the best I ever had, a world silver medal.
“Thinking back a couple of years ago it was out of reach for me so to be in this position now especially with a year to go, it’s exciting.”
Fu, meanwhile, said settling for silver two years ago in Barcelona had inspired her to win the 50m backstroke gold.
Fu clocked 27.11 seconds to win the final with Brazil’s Etiene Medeiros taking silver 0.15 seconds behind while China’s Liu Xiang earned bronze at 0.47.
Australia’s Emily Seebohm, who won the 100m backstroke world gold on Tuesday, finished fourth.
The 19-year-old Fu lost out to compatriot Zhao Jing by just 0.10 seconds in Barcelona in 2013 and she was determined not to let it happen again.
“I have invested so much in this victory,” she said. “I learnt a lot from the world championships and now I am training much harder than anybody else in the world. I am doing it to be first.”
Her teammate and fellow teenager Liu was just as delighted with her podium place.
“I could never have believed that I would be able to win a world championship medal,” said the 19-year-old.
“Before the race, my coach told me to focus only on my technique, speed and motion.
“He said to throw away any other thoughts.
“I stuck to his advice, it worked out well and I’m very happy.”
Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey came within touching distance of a second Olympic qualifying A standard but eventually finished 18th in the overall heat of the women’s 100m freestyle.
The talented swimmer came fifth in her preliminary heat with a time of 54.95 seconds, just half a second behind the qualifying mark of 54.43 seconds.
Haughey, who had to settle for the B standard with the result, then led the 4x200m relay team with a target of finishing in the top 12, which could have sent all four swimmers directly to Rio. But unfortunately their time of eight minutes and 6.51 seconds saw them take 14th position, more than five seconds behind 12th-placed Germany.


Drug-tainted Ning Zetao grabs gold for China in swimming’s blue-riband event

Ning Zetao celebrates winning the 100m freestyle final. Photo: Reuters

Ning Zetao salutes during the playing of the Chinese national anthem. Photo: Reuters

Fu Yuanhui (right) and Liu Xiang display their medals after the awards ceremony for the women's 50m backstroke. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong's Siobhan Haughey achieved an Olympic B standard qualifying time in the  100m freestyle. Photo: Xinhua

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