Qingdao, China — Local swimming sensation Zhang Zhanshuo, 17, thrilled home crowds by capturing his third gold medal at the Chinese National Spring Swimming Championships on Saturday.
Competing in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, Zhang dominated the men’s 200-meter individual medley, finishing in 1:58.59. He was the only swimmer to break the two-minute mark in the event.
“I need to raise the standard for myself, because I am not entirely satisfied with this result,” Zhang said after clinching his latest victory. His drive for improvement signals more excitement ahead for fans.
Zhang had already made waves earlier in the competition by winning the 1500-meter freestyle and the 200-meter butterfly titles, showcasing his versatility across different swimming disciplines.
In the men’s 200-meter individual medley, Zhejiang’s Xie Yichen secured the silver medal, while Guangdong’s Deng Ziqi took bronze.
The excitement continued in the men’s 100-meter freestyle final, where He Junyi earned Zhejiang’s first gold of the championships, touching the wall in 48.44 seconds. Henan’s Wang Haoyu was a mere 0.01 seconds behind, claiming silver, and Guangdong’s Chen Juner finished with bronze.
On the women’s side, Chen Luying from Fujian province seized the 200-meter butterfly title, finishing in 2:07.30. Guangdong’s Yu Liyan followed closely for silver with a time of 2:08.19.
In a remarkable personal achievement, Liu Yaxin of Guangdong set a new personal best in the women’s 1500-meter freestyle, completing the grueling race in 16:08.44.
The championships continue to highlight China’s emerging swimming talents, promising a bright future for the sport.
