Pan Pacific Championships, Night Three Finals: Tang Qianting Gets China on Board with 50 Breast Gold
As the holder of the top three times in the world in 2026 entering this meet, no one would’ve been shocked to see Tang Qianting on the top step of the podium at the Pan Pacific Championships.
The Asian record holder delivered on that promise, going 29.67 to win Friday night at the Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine, California.
Americans filled the second two steps, with McKenzie Siroky in second and Skyler Smith in third. Siroky went 29.70, just off her best time of 29.64. Smith is under 30 seconds for the first time, after going from 30.4 to 30.08 in the morning to now 29.90.
The medal is the first gold for China at this meet. It entered the night with just one silver and one bronze in the meet’s first two days.
Tang remains the reigning power in women’s sprint breaststroke. She won silver at the Paris Olympics in the 100 breast. She has won silver in the 50 breast in both the 2024 World Championships and 2025 Worlds to go with medals in the 100, including gold in 2024. The addition of the 50 breast is a big one for her, the fourth-fastest performer of all-time having gone 29.44.
Fourth in the race was the ageless Satomi Suzuki, who went 30.40 to beat the rest of the pack on behalf of Japan. Sophie Angus was the top Canadian in 30.65, tipping Alexanne Lepage. Sienna Toohey was sixth for the Aussies.
