In last year’s at the National Swimming Championships, with 41 events, the Zhejiang team won 18 gold medals. This year, despite a reduction to 35 events, Zhejiang still managed to clinch 18 golds, securing half of the total gold medals available.

Recently, the nine-day National Swimming Championships concluded at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center. In this major competition, which serves as a qualifier for the Paris Olympics, 74 athletes from the Zhejiang swimming team competed with determination and courage across all events. They ended the championships with a remarkable tally of 18 golds, 12 silvers, and 5 bronzes. Sixteen instances of finals performances met the Paris Olympics A standard, demonstrating the team’s overall strength and competitive level. The “Zhejiang element” was a prominent feature throughout the event.

“Before the competition began, the official promotional poster featured 12 star athletes, six of whom were from Zhejiang. On the opening day, Olympic champion Wang Shun from Zhejiang took the oath on behalf of all athletes during the opening ceremony. When famous athletes like Ye Shiwen and Xu Jiayu were met with cheers and screams throughout the venue. The Zhejiang team demonstrated a “group advantage” in multiple events. For instance, the women’s 200-meter individual medley final almost turned into a showcase for Zhejiang, with 5 of the 8 finalists hailing from the team. Ultimately, the gold and silver medals were claimed by Zhejiang’s Yu Yiting and Zheng Huiyu, respectively. On the final day of competition, Pan Zhanle crowned himself the “King of 7 Golds” by winning the men’s 4x100 meter medley relay.

In the swimming world, where a new generation born after 2000 is emerging like a tide, three veterans from the same era as the London Olympics remain as steady as a rock. They forge ahead bravely, breaking through the waves, and continue to play an indispensable central role in Chinese swimming.

As a stalwart in Chinese swimming, Wang Shun competed with an injury and secured the gold medal in the men’s 200-meter individual medley. He recorded a time of 1:55.35, marking the third-best performance of his career. This achievement not only demonstrates his exceptional prowess in swimming but also stands as the world’s best time for the season.

As the first Chinese male swimmer to compete in the Olympics at the age of 30, Wang Shun hopes to compete without any burdens. “For the Paris Olympics, “youngster” Wang Shun will be back, hoping to create another moment of 'swimming upstream' that belongs to me!”

In the men’s 100-meter backstroke, Xu Jiayu set the season's world-best time in Chinese swimming with a time of 52.39 seconds. Despite encountering a minor setback in the 200-meter backstroke event, he quickly adjusted and clinched the title. Additionally, he demonstrated his prowess again in both the mixed 4x100-meter medley relay and the men's 4x100-meter medley relay.

With remarkable determination and solid winter training, Ye Shiwen won the 200-meter breaststroke title with a personal best time of 2:22.55, becoming the only competitor to break the Olympic A standard. Returning to the Olympic stage after eight years, Ye Shiwen’s comeback is not only a personal triumph but also a tribute to her past glories. Twelve years have passed, and now, the winds of London are finally blowing towards Paris.

Who says thirty is old? Their remarkable achievements remain unmatched. For them, the rewards and insights from competing are often more profound. As Wang Shun said after his victory, “I hope that while I am still in the pool, I can set an example for more young swimmers. We can show everyone that Chinese swimmers over the age of 30 can still compete for gold and silver at the Olympic Games!”

Pan Zhanle was the standout figure presence at the championships, earning the title of “Seven-Time Champion.” He swept the gold medals in the four freestyle events from 50 meters to 400 meters and delivered two thrilling come-from-behind victories in relay races. In the men’s 100-meter freestyle, Pan Zhanle clocked a time of 46.97 seconds, marking his third sub-47-second swim. This time matches the winning times for the event in major global competitions during the Paris Olympic cycle, underscoring his competitiveness on the international swimming stage.

Yu Yiting won the silver medal in the 100-meter butterfly and claimed gold in both the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley events, showcasing her versatile competitive abilities. Wu Qingfeng achieved personal bests in the 100-meter freestyle and 50-meter freestyle, winning the 50-meter freestyle gold with a time of 24.22 seconds. Fei Liwei secured the gold medal in the 1500-meter freestyle, along with a silver in the 800-meter freestyle and a bronze in the 400-meter freestyle.

Additionally, newcomers such as Mao Yihan, born in 2009, Zheng Huiyu, born in 2007, and Kong Yaqi, born in 2008, emerged at the championships, showcasing the profound talent and depth of the Zhejiang swimming team.

After undergoing a generational transition, the coaching team of the Zhejiang swimming team has displayed unprecedented unity and collaboration. This has not only fostered continuous progress among the veteran swimmers but also provided robust support for the development of young athletes. The team’s significant achievements in freestyle and individual medley events underscore Zhejiang’s strong presence in the swimming arena. Even more encouraging, Zhejiang has made breakthroughs in traditionally weaker disciplines such as breaststroke and butterfly, gradually narrowing the gap with the country’s top teams.

With the close collaboration of coaches from three generations—senior, middle-aged, and young—the Zhejiang swimming team demonstrated extraordinary strength and excellent competitive form at the National Swimming Championships. This success has not only brought honor to the team but also laid a solid foundation for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.

Next, the national team members will undergo closed training in Shanghai for the final push towards the Paris Olympic Games. The Zhejiang swimming team is advancing towards higher goals with determination, looking forward to achieving excellent results at the Paris Olympics and continuing the glory of Chinese swimming.