In a stirring display of determination, Chinese veteran swimmer Sun Yang, 33, clinched a silver medal in the men's 400-meter freestyle at the National Spring Swimming Championships. Despite being the oldest competitor, he rallied from third place at the midway mark to finish with an impressive time of 3:47.94, narrowly trailing gold medalist Liu Peixin who clocked 3:46.80.
Reflecting on his performance, Sun remarked, "This progress shows that I am better than the Sun Yang of last year, and I have achieved my goal." His improvement by a full second over last year's result underscores his resilient spirit and dedication.
Sun's journey to the podium was not without challenges. After returning to high-altitude training following a five-year hiatus, he endured a grueling winter regimen and even underwent knee injections at five points over two days to manage pain. "At this age, injuries are inevitable, but I have to persevere," he explained, emphasizing his commitment to inspiring young athletes to stay dedicated.
Other highlights from the day included Sun Jiajun winning the men's 50m breaststroke in 26.85 seconds, Yu Yiting triumphing in the women's 50m butterfly at 25.73 seconds, Jiang Chenglin topping the men's 100m backstroke, and Zhu Leiju claiming victory in the women's 200m breaststroke.
This championship not only showcased the prowess of seasoned competitors but also set a compelling example for the next generation of swimmers to push their limits and embrace perseverance.
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Sun Yang wins silver at National Spring Swimming Championships
cgtn.com
