China's talent pool goes for glory
National team hopes blend of youth and experience can maximize medal haul at Fukuoka world championships
From left: Zhang Yufei, Ye Shiwen and Li Bingjie spearhead China's challenge in the women's races at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Xinhua / Provided to China Daily
The Chinese swimming team is ready to make splash at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan later this month.
Among the stars spearheading China's challenge will be multiple Olympic and world champion Zhang Yufei, who will be bidding to add to her vast medal collection at the championships. Her bronze medals in the women's 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly events at last year's worlds in Budapest were part of a five-medal haul for Team China at the championships.
"My goal remains the same for these world championships, which is to achieve the best possible results. But I always tell myself to have the right mindset. I've enjoyed every single day of training ahead of the worlds, and I hope I can also enjoy every day of competition in Fukuoka," said Zhang, who won two gold and two silver medals at the Tokyo Olympics.
Zhang's form in recent months bodes well for her medal bid, with her long hours in the gym yielding mightily impressive results — she scored full marks in all tests as part of a physical exam conducted by the team last month.
"I was delighted because I never scored full marks in a physical test before. It's vindication for the hard work I've put in recently. I have been trying to level up my lower body strength," Zhang added.
"At the very beginning, it was very hard — my legs felt so heavy all the time. But eventually, I made it through. That's how I managed to get full scores."
Zhang's improved power and endurance could be critical at the worlds, where the 25-year-old has a busy schedule of butterfly, freestyle and relay events.
Reaching the highest podium at the championships is never easy, of course, and in Fukuoka Zhang will face stiff competition in teenage sensation Summer McIntosh.
The Canadian clocked an impressive 2:04.70 (the world record stands at 2:01.81) in the 200m butterfly in March, and the 16-year-old, who is also super competitive in freestyle, is considered Zhang's biggest rival for gold.
12Next >>|
Related articles
Student fatally shot, suspect detained at Georgia's Kennesaw State University
ATLANTA (AP) — Officials at Georgia’s Kennesaw State University say a student was killed in a weeken2024-05-21Miles Russell's historic week continues as 15
Miles Russell, the 15-year-old Floridian who became the youngest player in Korn Ferry Tour history t2024-05-21Chinese museums receive 73 mln visits during Spring Festival holiday
BEIJING, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Museums across China received approximately 73.58 million visits during2024-05-21Paris Hilton puts on a VERY leggy display in pink PVC dress as she shares new collaboration with Tan
Paris Hilton looked sensational as she unveiled her collaboration with self-tan skincare brand Tan-L2024-05-21Georgia Republicans choose Amy Kremer, organizer of pro
COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia Republicans on Saturday elected to the Republican National Committee a2024-05-21Michael Jordan celebrates NASCAR Talladega win with driver Tyler Reddick's son
NASCAR team owner Michael Jordan celebrated his 23XI Racing's win at Talladega Superspeedway with hi2024-05-21
atest comment