China Open: Huang to intensify speed training

(Beijing, February. 4) -- In the men's 50m freestyle final of the "Good Luck Beijing" 2008 Swimming China Open, Huang Shaohua of China finished sixth with a time of 23.50. Swedish veteran Stefan Nystrand took the title with a time of 22.39. After the final, Huang heartily praised his foreign opponents: "All of them are excellent," he said.

Huang had achieved a result of 23.47 in the 50m freestyle heats on Sunday, but was slower in final on Monday. He expressed that he had not gotten used to morning finals and the new starting platform yet. "I did not feel well when jumping into the water; it was maybe because I'm not used to the new starting platform. You know I have always been inferior in speed, so I'm supposed to intensify speed training in future," he was quoted as saying.

In the men's 50m freestyle final today, of the top five placers, three came from Sweden, one from Brazil and one from Romania. To this, Huang said frankly, "Many foreign swimmers are excellent."

Huang concluded his performance at the open with the 50m freestyle final. Afterwards he said, "I was here to temper myself and feel the venue and will make improvements in light of the problems arising from this open."