Olympic Champion Zhang Yufei Of China Rips 54.87 SCM 100 Fly Asian Record

2026 CHINESE SC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

• October 23rd – October 28th
• Beijing, China
• SCM (25m)
• Results via Asian media

The 2026 Chinese Short Course National Championships continued in Beijing with additional records falling as swimmers vie for potential slots on the nation’s roster for December’s Short Course World Championships.

Tonight it was 28-year-old Zhang Yufei who stole the spotlight, ripping a lifetime best, Chinese national and Asian continental record en route to topping the podium in the women’s 100m butterfly.

Zhang, a 10-time Olympic medalist, busted out a result of 54.87 to become the first-ever Asian woman to clear the 55-second barrier.

The versatile ace split 11.68/13.98 (25.66)/14.42/14.72 to get the job done, beating the domestic field by over a second.

Runner-up status went to Wang Yichun who hit 56.13, as Lyu Yue rounded out the top three in a mark of 56.47.

Of note, Yu Zidi, the phenom who just turned 14 this month, settled for 5th place in a time of 56.97.

As for Zhang, her performance this evening overtook the former Chinese and Asian record of 55.17 teammate Yu Yiting put on the books just earlier this month during the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup stop in Astana.

Comparing the two swims, Zhang was slightly slower on the front half but held on to hit a 29.21 to bring it home in the historic time. Zhang now checks in as the 9th-best SCM 100 butterfly performer of all time.

Split Comparison

This represents Zhang’s fourth individual Asian record. She owns the LCM 50 fly (25.05) and 100 fly (55.62) and the SCM 50 fly (24.71) in addition to multiple relay records.