Wang Shun, a veteran swimmer, made a splash at the National Swimming Championships, not only winning the men’s 200-meter individual medley championship but also meeting the standards for the Paris Olympics. The championships, held on April 25 in Shenzhen, saw three gold medals awarded, with Wang Shun’s victory being a standout moment.
In the men’s 200-meter individual medley final, Wang Shun showcased his skills and determination, finishing in 1 minute, 55 seconds and 35 seconds, surpassing the Olympic A standard. His time was more than 1 second faster than the gold medalist at the recent Doha World Championships. Zhang Zhanshuo and He Yubo claimed the second and third spots respectively.
Speaking after the race, Wang Shun expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I hope it can set an example for everyone and let everyone see that our Chinese swimmers, even in their 30s, can still compete for gold and silver in the Olympics.”
Another highlight of the championships was Pan Zhanle’s victory in the men’s 50-meter freestyle event, where he finished in 22.06 seconds. Pan Zhanle, who won his sixth gold medal in this event, acknowledged the tough competition from national record holder Yu Hexin, who won the silver medal.
The women’s events also saw some impressive performances, with Peng Xuwei winning the women’s 200-meter backstroke championship, followed by Liu Yaxin and Zhang Jingyan in the second and third places respectively.
Overall, the National Swimming Championships proved to be a thrilling and competitive event, with athletes like Wang Shun and Pan Zhanle showcasing their skills and determination as they aim for success at the Paris Olympics in 2024.