Chinese swimmer Yang Junxuan has made a remarkable comeback, securing her spot for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris after breaking the women’s 100-meter freestyle national record at China’s Olympic Trials in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province.
She touched the wall in 52.68 seconds, marking the eighth-best time globally this year and signaling her return to top form after a challenging year battling central nervous system (CNS) fatigue.
Yang’s journey back to the pool was fraught with difficulties. Plagued by CNS fatigue for months, she struggled with severe physical limitations that hindered her training and performance. “In the worst case at that time, after swimming a few hundred meters, I wouldn’t be able to lift my arms,” Yang told China Media Group (CMG). “If I continued, I would need people to rescue me from the pool.”
CNS fatigue poses a unique challenge because it lacks a clear source, leaving Yang, her coaches, and medical team uncertain about how to address it. Despite these obstacles, she persevered and gradually regained her strength and form.
Reflecting on her recovery, Yang shared insights into her renewed approach to training. “It made me think a lot about training and competing,” she said. “I realized that everyone has their own pace. I don’t need to match others’ progress. I just need to find my own pace.”
At the Olympic Trials, Yang not only excelled in the 100-meter freestyle but also delivered an impressive performance in the women’s 200-meter freestyle, clocking in at 1:54.37—the fourth-best time in the world this year.
Yang was a key member of China’s gold-medal-winning women’s 200-meter freestyle relay team at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. As she prepares for Paris 2024, she feels a greater sense of responsibility. “I can feel that there are more responsibilities and duties on my shoulders,” Yang expressed. “That’s the notion I didn’t feel before.”
Her triumphant return not only inspires her teammates but also reignites hopes for China’s swimming success on the global stage.
Yang Junxuan’s resilience and determination exemplify the spirit of athletes worldwide, as she sets her sights on achieving new heights at the upcoming Olympics.
Reference(s):
Chinese swimmer Yang Junxuan back on track before 2024 Summer Olympics
cgtn.com
