Shandong's teenage swimming sensation Zhang Zhanshuo cemented his dominance at the 15th National Games on Tuesday, completing a historic freestyle sweep by claiming gold in the men's 1500-meter event. The 18-year-old phenom now holds titles in all four individual freestyle distances – 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m – marking one of the most comprehensive performances in the games' swimming history.
In a thrilling showdown at Shenzhen's aquatic center, Zhang engaged in a strategic battle with Zhejiang's Fei Liwei through the first two-thirds of the race. The pair traded leads multiple times before Zhang unleashed a decisive final 500 meters, touching the wall in 14:52.73. Fei secured silver at 14:55.21, while Shaanxi's Li Chengyu took bronze.
The victory underscores China's continued swimming prowess as the country prepares to host next year's World Aquatics Championships. With the games currently underway through November 25, all eyes now turn to whether Zhang will add relay medals to his historic individual haul.
