Zetao’s time equalled the one set by Federico Grabich for fourth in the world rankings as the 22-year-old moved into the top 5 in the world. At the 2014 Asian Games, he won gold medals in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle, 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay and 4 x 100-meter medley relay
Ning, the Asian record holder of the event, has set a modest goal of reaching the final which has long been dominated by non-Asians, reports Xinhua.
“I am in good form and I hope I can do better in the semis,” said Ning.
Australia’s Cameron McEvoy ranked third in the world with a 48.06, qualified second in 48.33. Russia’s Vlad Morozov top-ranked in the world with a 47.98, took the third seed in 48.46.
Grabich checked in with a fourth-seeded 48.48, while France’s Jeremy Stravius put up a fifth-seeded time of 48.52.
Belgium’s Pieter Timmers (48.58), The Netherlands’ Sebastian Verschuren (48.61) and USA’s Nathan Adrian (48.61) rounded out the top eight.
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