Olympic champion Pan Zhanle delivered a masterclass in strategy and endurance at China's National Swimming Championships in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, outracing three-time Olympic gold medalist Sun Yang in a star-studded 200m freestyle final on Monday. The event showcased China's swimming depth ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The race featured an unprecedented lineup: 2024 Olympic champion Pan, London 2012 gold medalist Sun Yang, Tokyo 2020 champion Wang Shun, and world champions Zhang Zhanshuo and Ji Xinjie. Wang initially led before Ji surged ahead at 150 meters, only for Pan to unleash a blistering final 50 meters to claim victory in 1:45.45 – his third gold of the championships.
"I focused on perfecting every detail," Pan told reporters post-race. "Racing against legends like Sun and Wang pushes me to new levels. Their experience is invaluable as we prepare for Paris."
Sun, competing while managing injuries at 32, finished eighth but remained philosophical: "Perseverance brings its own rewards. This event reminded me why I love the sport."
Other standout performances included Li Bingjie smashing the women's 1,500m freestyle tournament record (15:43.94) and Qin Haiyang setting a new men's 50m breaststroke semifinal benchmark (26.54 seconds). Backstroke specialists Xu Jiayu and Wan Letian also claimed golds in their respective 100m events.
The championships serve as a critical gauge for China's swimming program, with athletes now shifting focus to Olympic preparations. The mixed-generation competition – featuring veterans like Sun and rising stars like Pan – highlights China's strategic blend of experience and emerging talent.
