China’s Ning Zetao surprises rivals with 100m freestyle gold at world championships
The 22-year-old – who failed a dope test in 2011 – wins his first world title, beating Australian Cameron McEvoy, who had been fastest in the heats and semi-finals
China’s Ning Zetao was the shock winner of the men’s 100m freestyle gold at the world swimming championships 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 second at 0.11 with Argentina’s Federico Grabich earning bronze at 0.28 in the Kazan Arena.
Olympic champion Nathan Adrian of the United States finished seventh at 0.47 back.
Before the race, I didn’t even think about a medal, I just wanted to show my best
Ning was banned for a year after failing a doping test in March 2011 for taking the performance-enhancing drug Clenbuterol, but the Chinese was delighted with his first world title.
“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.
