ZHENGZHOU, April 4 (Xinhua) -- China's swimming star Sun Yang set a world second fastest time of the year in the men's 800-meter freestyle at the National Championships here on Thursday.
The Shanghai Worlds champion of the event established an early lead and won the event in seven minutes 48.60 seconds, which was the second best time so far this year. Olympic 1,500m runner-up Ryan Cochrane just timed a world best 7:43.61 on Wednesday's Canadian world-title trials.
Zhong Guixu of Tianjin placed second in 8:00.26, while Gao Xuelei of Hebei ranked third in 8:02.37.
"I'm not on my best, but the time was OK," said Sun, who was quite on track in Zhengzhou by winning the 200m, 400m free in world best results. "I just swam under my rhythm and I hope I can make better result at the Worlds."
"Cochrane will be my biggest rival," he added. "I have not think about the world record, but I do hope my 400m can be faster."
Sun will take part in the 1,500m on April 8.