National Games: with 3 races still to go, Zhang Zhanshuo can already be crowned swim king

The National Games have long been billed as a proving ground for China’s new wave of athletes as the competition cycle gears up for the next Olympics, and for rising star swimmer Zhang Zhanshuo, this year’s event has become a definitive coronation. The 15th edition of the National Games has seen the 18-year-old from Shandong sweep three major gold medals so far, including the men’s 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle events, as he establishes dominance in the middle- and long-distance categories, leaving the previous kings behind. Zhang’s first victory, in the 400m freestyle on Monday, set the tone. Out-duelling rivals including world-record-holding sprint champion Pan Zhanle and the legendary Sun Yang, Zhang clocked three minutes and 42.82 seconds to smash his own world junior record, set just two months ago. He also finished almost five seconds ahead of Hubei’s Xu Haibo, who took silver, as Pan and Sun respectively took fifth and sixth places. Still, the teenager showed deference post-race. “I can’t say I beat them; I still need to learn a lot from them,” he said. His strategy, he said, was not about specific countermoves against his opponents, but about looking inward. “I just follow my own pace,” he said, before taking a moment to acknowledge his roots. “Thank you to my parents for their support; without them, there would be no me today.” Zhang’s second gold came from the 200m freestyle two days later. But even then, he refused to celebrate prematurely, expressing perspective rather than triumph. “I am very happy, but there is nothing worth celebrating,” he said. “Yesterday, Yu Zidi broke the Asian record at such a young age. I still need to learn more from others.” Zhang was referring to the 13-year-old who won gold in the women’s 200m individual medley while breaking the event’s long-time Asian record. Her time of two minutes and 7.41 seconds erased Ye Shiwen’s 2:07.57 set at the 2012 London Olympics. He then echoed the words of his predecessor as he reinforced his mission. “Just as Sun Yang said a few days ago, I hope the younger generation can support the future of middle- and long-distance freestyle,” Zhang said. And despite smashing a regional junior record, Zhang said he had his sights set on international standards. “For me, the result achieved today is not a personal best, and there is still a significant gap compared with athletes on the world stage,” he said. “I know I still have a lot of room for improvement on the world stage, and I cannot be complacent just because I won the championship today. “I have already begun to reflect; having stepped off the podium means everything must start anew.” Despite the fierce competition between them, the dynamic between Zhang and Pan has become one of mutual respect, with Chinese media quickly dubbing them the “Zhan Generation” as a representation of the future of the country’s freestyle. Asked about the pairing, Zhang said: “He is not only my opponent, but also my idol. We have a very good relationship in private, and I will consult him if I have questions. “I am very happy and cherish being able to compete with him today.” This shared identity, built on mentorship and high-level competition, bodes well for China’s prospects in the freestyle relay in the years to come. Completing his hat-trick in the 800m freestyle on Thursday, Zhang had achieved what most athletes would be proud of at the domestic level. Yet his focus remained forward-looking. “I feel the result didn’t improve much; I still need to go back and summarise properly,” he said post-race. Asked if winning three golds had changed his long-term goal, he said: “I’ve never thought about what would happen whether I won or not. “I just want to always face [competition] as a challenger. I think the most important thing is to do my best and set an example.” He added: “The competition schedule is not even half over yet; I am very much looking forward to the subsequent races.” With three gold medals, three junior records and a mindset fixed firmly on global standards, Zhang has already delivered a historic performance. But, as he himself cautioned, the competition is far from over. With three more events looming – the 400m individual and relay medleys as well as the gruelling 1500m freestyle – the teenage “Triple Gold King” is primed to secure more titles and further cement his status as the new face of Chinese freestyle, perhaps beyond the national level and into the Olympics.

National Games: with 3 races still to go, Zhang Zhanshuo can already be crowned swim king

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 18-year-old Shandong native has won 3 golds so far, leaving a couple of previous champs behind, and is only halfway through his programme

The 18-year-old Shandong native has won 3 golds so far, leaving a couple of previous champs behind, and is only halfway through his programme