Chinese swimmer Ning Zetao clocked 48.11 seconds in the men's 100 metres freestyle heats to make the semifinals with the top position in overall rankings at the World Championships here on Wednesday.
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.