Xin Xin of China reacts after winning the Women's 10km Open Water at Fina World Championships in Yeosu, South Korea, on July 14, 2019. Xin Xin claimed the title with 1 hour 54 minutes 47.20 seconds. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)
GWANGJU, South Korea, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Chanted like a kid, Xin Xin ran into her coach's arm and asked "Am I good?"
"Perfect!"said the coach Jin Hao.
Xin just claimed victory in the women's 10m open water race at the 18th FINA World Swimming Championships here on Sunday. It was the first ever open water gold medal China in the history of the world championships.
"I did not expect I could win the champion. I just thought to swim as easy as possible in the first part of the race by following the big stars. I wanted to keep more energy for the last, and I did it!" said the 22-year-old Chinese.
Xin wrote herself into the swimming history again after she finished fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and 11th in Budapest worlds two years ago.
"It was my dream to became the world champion. It was my great honor to raised our national flag and listen to the national anthem on top of the podium!"said Xin, who did not prepare the awarding clothes at all and had to wear her teammate's clothes.
"Maybe I should bring my awarding suit all the time. I believe that I can swim better and better in the future. "Xin smiled.
A total of 64 swimmers competed in the race, and the top 10 finishers qualified for Olympic Marathon 10km event at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.
Against a group veterans and big stars, Xin started the race smoothly and closely followed the leading pack most of the competition. Xin broke away in the last lap, the last 1.66 kilometer and surged to the finish first in a time of one hour 54 minutes 47.20 seconds.
Haley Anderson of the United States took the silver in 1:54.48.10 and Rachele Bruni of Italy came third in 1:54.49.90. Rio Olympic champion Sharon Van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands finished 10th.
