Xu Jiayu

Xu Jiayu (Chinese: 徐嘉余; born 19 August 1995) is a Chinese competitive swimmer who specializes in the backstroke. He is the Olympic Silver medalist (2016 Rio de Janeiro) and twice consecutive world champion (2017 Budapest and 2019 Gwangju) in the 100 meters backstroke.

Xu Jiayu
Personal information
Full name徐嘉余
Xu Jiayu
NationalityChinese
Born (1995-08-19) 19 August 1995
Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
Height187 cm (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Weight78 kg (172 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesBackstroke
College teamShanghai Jiao Tong University

Early and personal life

Xu was born in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. His mother Yu Zhenzhen (余珍珍) is a former swimmer who specialized in the butterfly.[2] He has an elder sister Xu Si (徐思).[3][4]

Xu started swimming at the age of 4 under his mother's guidance.[5]

Xu is an alumnus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.[6]

Xu is currently the world record holder in the 100m backstroke short course.

Swimming career

Olympic Games

Xu competed for China at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and won a silver medal in the 100 metre backstroke at the 2016 Summer Olympics.[7][8] He is the current national record holder in backstroke races in all distances (50, 100, and 200 metres).[9][10]

International Competitions

Xu and his teammates in the front row at the 2014 Asian Games

At the 2014 Asian Games, Xu, Ning Zetao, Li Zhuhao and Li Xiang teamed up to win the men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay.[11] Individually, Xu received silver medals in the 100m backstroke and 200m backstroke. While also receiving a bronze medal in the 50m backstroke.

At the 2016 short course World Championships, Xu won the bronze medal in the 100 metre backstroke.[12]

At the 2017 World Aquatics Championships, Xu became the first male Chinese swimmer to win gold in the 100m backstroke in a time of 52.44 seconds. He also received the bronze medal as a part of the mixed medley relay.

At the 2018 Asian Games, Xu received six gold medals. He swept the backstroke events and was part of the Asian record setting mixed and men medley relays.[13][14]

At the 2019 World Aquatics Championships, Xu successfully defended his 100m backstroke title with a time of 52.43 seconds. Xu also placed sixth in the 50m backstroke.

Personal bests (long course)

Event Time Meet Date Note(s)
50 m backstroke 24.42[15] 2017 Chinese national swimming championships 16 April 2017 NR
100 m backstroke 51.86[16] 2017 Chinese national swimming championships 12 April 2017 NR
200 m backstroke 1:53.99[17] 2018 Asian Games 23 August 2018 NR

Key: NR = National Record

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References

Preceded by
Kliment Kolesnikov
Men's 100-meter backstroke
world record-holder (short course)

11 November 2018 – present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
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