Zhang Yufei shatters Olympic record to win women's 200m butterfly gold

Zhang Yufei of China reacts after setting a new Olympic record in women's 200m butterfly final at Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, July 29, 2021. [Photo/IC]

TOKYO - China's Zhang Yufei had a convincing victory in women's 200m butterfly to win her first gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games here on Thursday.

Zhang Yufei swims in the women's 200m butterfly final. [Photo/IC]

Zhang, led the field right from the beginning, clocked two minutes and 03.86 seconds for the gold and sliced 0.2 seconds off the Olympic record created by compatriot Jiao Liuyang at London 2012.

Zhang Yufei of China reacts after setting a new Olympic record. [Photo/IC]

This is the second medal for the 23-year-old, who claimed a silver from the 100m butterfly competition earlier this week.

Americans Regan Smith (2:05.30) and Hali Flickinger (2:05.65) took silver and bronze respectively.