Pooling its younger resources

Joining Zhang in the spotlight will be junior sensation Yu Zidi, a versatile 12-year-old talent who won two golds (200m butterfly and 400m IM) at the national trials in May to become China's youngest ever qualifier for the worlds.

Having signed up to swim both IM events in Singapore, Yu Zidi will push for personal bests and to measure herself up against Canadian star Summer McIntosh, the undisputed IM queen who set new world records in both the 100m (2:05.70) and 200m (4:23.65) at the Canadian trials last month.

"For me, it's all about learning at my first world championships," said the Hebei native, whose 400m mark of 4:35.53 in May ranks fifth this year globally, and would have placed her fourth at last year's Olympics.

"I will try to put on my best performance to test myself against the best in the world."

Racing alongside the rising star in the 200m, and also hoping to challenge McIntosh, will be another IM specialist Yu Yiting, who clocked 2:08.67 at the trials to rank third this year in the event. She will also compete in the 200m butterfly.

All-around distance freestyler Li Bingjie deserves equal attention for her attempt to scoop up multiple medals from a hectic schedule, swimming four individual events from 200m to 1,500m, as well as potential relay duties.